For the old Leaf, they wanted to maximize aerodynamics above all. I assume costs dictated the rest. The bug eye (which I actually started to like now) is becaus

For the old Leaf, they wanted to maximize aerodynamics above all. I assume costs dictated the rest. The bug eye (which I actually started to like now) is because of that – that, and to reduce noise, which can be quite noticeable when you don't have to hear tiny explosions. For the other automakers, my cynical opinion is that they dont wan't people to like EVs. "Don't make me change my business model, EVs are ugly. See this EV? Ugly. Buy this beautiful car over here instead, which happens to not require retooling of my production line."