3 ms·

I have a 1987 Econoline modified for offroading. Previous models had the engine inside. Subsequent models had the engine entirely in front. But the generation I

I have a 1987 Econoline modified for offroading. Previous models had the engine inside. Subsequent models had the engine entirely in front. But the generation I have split the difference with a short, downward sloping hood. For this reason and many more - ever since Tesla announced their SUV, I have wished that someone in the EV space would consider this era of van when building anything meant to appeal to overlanding. Despite the many many issues, the design has excellent approach and departure angles, extremely good utility, has the same footprint of a full sized truck, and (for many reasons) has been a favorite for aftermarket conversion for a long time (see Sportsmobile or any of dozens of RV builders). Professional conversion companies and hobbyist like myself spend a lot of time building electrical systems into these vans to make them into better campers. Unlike your average truck owner (farmer, rancher, contractor, etc), the entire van-building niche would embrace a solid EV alternative.

frankus 6y ago
Rivian (of all companies) is building a very cool looking delivery van for Amazon. Not sure if they're going to be available for civilian use, or if there's going to be an all wheel drive option, though. IMO there are very few situations where a van isn't superior to a pickup truck, and I don't understand the continued popularity of trucks versus vans in the US. About the only advantages of pickups are for bulk materials (e.g. soil/gravel), messy materials (e.g. straw bales) and really tall things that need to stay upright (e.g. refrigerators), and of course towing certain extremely large trailers.
- m463 6y ago
  Only thing I can think of is that pickups have better visibility, both to see out/down... and to see who is driving. I've had a pickup and a van and it's easier to get stuff in and out of a pickup - you can walk around the side and haul stuff over your head and get in the bed and walk around. motorcycles fit in a pickup, or 3 of them.
m463 6y ago
I think the same thing from an RV standpoint. RVs have more complexity than cars, houses and trucks combined. An EV chassis could converge driving, lighting, appliances, heating and cooling into one system, and make off-grid and solar a real possibility.

frankus 6y ago

Rivian (of all companies) is building a very cool looking delivery van for Amazon. Not sure if they're going to be available for civilian use, or if there's going to be an all wheel drive option, though. IMO there are very few situations where a van isn't superior to a pickup truck, and I don't understand the continued popularity of trucks versus vans in the US. About the only advantages of pickups are for bulk materials (e.g. soil/gravel), messy materials (e.g. straw bales) and really tall things that need to stay upright (e.g. refrigerators), and of course towing certain extremely large trailers.

m463 6y ago
Only thing I can think of is that pickups have better visibility, both to see out/down... and to see who is driving. I've had a pickup and a van and it's easier to get stuff in and out of a pickup - you can walk around the side and haul stuff over your head and get in the bed and walk around. motorcycles fit in a pickup, or 3 of them.

m463 6y ago

I think the same thing from an RV standpoint. RVs have more complexity than cars, houses and trucks combined. An EV chassis could converge driving, lighting, appliances, heating and cooling into one system, and make off-grid and solar a real possibility.