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Bollinger B1: An electric truck with 360HP and up to 200 mile range

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Re: Bollinger B1: An electric truck with 360HP and up to 200 mile range

#151

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You seem to acknowledge that they increase safety, so why would you remove them? Are you that willing to let your emotions overpower your logic?

Actually, I said security, not safety. They are not quite the same. But yes, I certainly do not always discount emotive decisions. None of us do. I always drive with a certain slight feeling of unease because of that explosively triggerable thing in front of me. I'd rather not. In no way do I wish to stop anybody else from having these devices in their vehicles - I just wish I weren't forced into having them myself.…

What's the difference between security and safety here? I assumed that was a typo/thinko because "security" in the context of cars would mean, to me, things like alarms and other anti-theft devices.

I just can't understand preferring an actual increased risk of death to a known-irrational feeling of unease.

Re: Bollinger B1: An electric truck with 360HP and up to 200 mile range

#152
post #5

I know it's a prototype, but I wonder how much thought was put into safety. The simplistic look makes you think there's probably no crumple zones. And there's clearly no driver's airbag, dashboard padding, etc. Edit: The style seems heavily inspired by the original Ford Bronco. They even support the removable rear top. http://classicfordbroncos.com/builds/

This is from the Motor Authority article;

"One interesting regulatory note is that the weight rating allows the B1 to qualify as a Class 3 commercial truck which considerably reduces regulatory requirements compared to vehicles intended purely for passenger use."

Re: Bollinger B1: An electric truck with 360HP and up to 200 mile range

#153
post #82

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is there some definition of "truck" which this vehicle does not fulfill?

GVM > 4.5 ton is what makes a truck. Anything less is not a truck. 4.5 to 8 ton is light, 8 - 12 is medium, 12 ton an up is heavy for rigid trucks. That thing is a SUV.

Its GVWR is 5 ton.

Re: Bollinger B1: An electric truck with 360HP and up to 200 mile range

#155

Earlier quoted context omitted.

why does it need to be totaled?

"Totaled" is just a term of art in the insurance industry. It means that the cost to restore the vehicle is greater than its as-repaired street value. It doesn't mean that the vehicle has to be destroyed; it just means the insurer will only give you the fair market value of the vehicle as though you sold it used immediately before the accident, instead of paying for it to be repaired. The problem, though, is that whe…

But doesn't the vehicle become the property of the insurance company after the payout?

Re: Bollinger B1: An electric truck with 360HP and up to 200 mile range

#156
post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The most amazing thing is the photo of the lumber where a hole underneath the dash is revealed allowing the hauling of lumber the entire length of the vehicle. That is an impressive amount of utility right there. Whether quirky features like that would survive the process towards production remain to be seen, but this is certainly an interesting take on a truck that could be very useful in rural America.

A Tesla model S fits 10' lengths of lumber. Just protect the dashboard from scuffing with a blanket.

According to its spec sheet, the B1 has 12ft between the front and rear liftgates when they're closed, the car is 12.5ft long. The Model S is almost 4ft (and 30%) longer.

Re: Bollinger B1: An electric truck with 360HP and up to 200 mile range

#157

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree, to an extent. In some crash scenarios, an airbag is useful. In others, it's actually more harmful than good. I reckon what's more useful than an airbag in all situations, though, is a good restraint system.

> I reckon... Good thing we have solid engineering and scientific studies proving the safety then.

And do any of those studies contradict what I wrote? I reckon not, though I'd be happy to stand corrected and be reassured that the airbag sitting in front of me when I'm driving will always be perfectly safe to use/deploy.

An airbag is a supplementary restraint system. It does not replace or take precedence over the primary restraint system (a.k.a. the seat belt). That's what I meant when I reckoned it to be less critical; the airbag does you little good (and in fact is a heck of a lot more dangerous) if you're not wearing a seat belt.

Now, if this truck didn't even have seatbelts, then I'd be a lot more worried.

Re: Bollinger B1: An electric truck with 360HP and up to 200 mile range

#158

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The most amazing thing is the photo of the lumber where a hole underneath the dash is revealed allowing the hauling of lumber the entire length of the vehicle. That is an impressive amount of utility right there. Whether quirky features like that would survive the process towards production remain to be seen, but this is certainly an interesting take on a truck that could be very useful in rural America.

It's cool but it's kind of a gimmick. You can easily haul lumber on almost any vehicle with a roof rack. Many cars with fold down rear seats can fit 8' lumber too.

> You can easily haul lumber on almost any vehicle with a roof rack. Many cars with fold down rear seats can fit 8' lumber too.

The B1 can fit 12' with the liftgates closed.

Re: Bollinger B1: An electric truck with 360HP and up to 200 mile range

#159

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is simply not true. What causes damage and hurts or kills is rapid deceleration, not speed. Sure, speed is a necessary component in order to achieve the most violent deceleration but speed alone does guarantee damage at all. The racing world proves this conclusively. Watch Formula 1 or NASCAR and you'll see 200 mph crashes where everyone walks away. Watch motorcycle racing and see guys fall of their bikes at all…

You're right but your supporting evidence is applied wrong. People survive crashes in racing regardless of speed not because the crashes typically take place over a long period of time but because they have a seat that fits them well, straps keeping them in it and heat restraints. Also, going off track is not crashing.

> and head restraints.

What do you think an airbag's purpose is?

Re: Bollinger B1: An electric truck with 360HP and up to 200 mile range

#160

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Every 2-door, V8, 4wd, long-box work truck ever made is a pretty pointless car . Towing power, ground clearance, an open bed, weight capacity, and most of the other things that distinguish these vehicles are utterly wasted and often counterproductive on a San Francisco street. But these utility vehicles are instrumental in getting real shit done at countless farms, industries, and construction sites across the globe.…

I'm pretty sure the 200 mile range goes out the window pretty quickly if you start using to tow stuff.

Any car's range goes out of the window quickly if you start using it to tow stuff, that's pretty much the lifeblood of a work truck.
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