Electric Vehicle Manufacturing: Designing for the Customer in 2024
Automakers in 2024 face a familiar challenge with modern stakes: ensuring the customer’s voice remains central in the design of electric vehicles. Since the early 1900s, manufacturers have relied on two primary approaches—dedicated EV platforms and multi‑functional platforms. The latter remains more economical, but it can introduce compromises that customers increasingly notice. Recent video reports highlight one such issue: rear‑seat passengers in EVs built on multi‑functional platforms often sit with raised knees due to battery packs mounted beneath the floor. Luxury manufacturers have mitigated this by packaging batteries along the center tunnel—running from the dashboard toward the rear—reducing the intrusion into footwells. However, this solution only works when the vehicle’s roofline provides enough vertical space. Without adequate distance from floor to ceiling, comfort becomes a real concern. So where should a manufacturer begin? In 2024, the answer depends on...