SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
Sure looks a lot like your father's Oldsmobile...
Electric cars were supposed to be the future – or at least look like it. So now they're here, why do they still look like ordinary petrol and diesel cars and not dazzling props from a science fiction film.
Before they hit the market and became relatively mainstream, many imagined (or at least, hoped) that electric cars would resemble the Light Runner from Tron: Legacy. After all, without the need for an internal combustion engine, an exhaust system and a fuel tank, electric car designers should have the creative freedom to rip up the rule book and create some truly eye-catching vehicles.
But this hasn't really happened. Park a Renault Zoe next to a Renault Clio, for example, and compare the two. While there are subtle differences and styling cues that suggest the Zoe is electric and the Clio isn't, the overall body form is strikingly similar. In fact, the Zoe is assembled on the same production line as the Clio and Nissan Micra.
(Score: 5, Interesting) by Rosco P. Coltrane on Sunday January 14 2018, @08:29AM (10 children)
Everything being the same but the drivetrain sends a powerful message to potential buyers: it's still a car like you're used to, we as a company treat it exactly as the other cars in our lineup and it will get the same level of support from garages. It's reassuring.
Too many changes drive customers away. People are often afraid or suspicious of change. It's very-well known in social studies and marketing. Drab-looking electric cars appeal to people's sense of continuity and comfort, and makes their adoption by the general public a less-risky proposition.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday January 14 2018, @08:55AM (9 children)
To sell to old people.
Notice how in Picard's last movie appearance when he's getting old, he takes out the retro all-terrain-vehicle for a joyride on some planet of the primitive screwheads.
We are living in the future of the old people and the old people are living in the past.
SoylentNews is old people
(Score: 3, Insightful) by TheReaperD on Sunday January 14 2018, @04:47PM (8 children)
Over half of the developed world is "old people." They're also the ones with the highest share of wealth so, yes, the market caters to "old people."
Ad eundum quo nemo ante iit
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday January 14 2018, @05:17PM (7 children)
You forgot to mention that old people are the ones who vote. The market and the law cater to old people.
Fuck the future; we got ours; young people should just die.
SoylentNews is old people
(Score: 1) by r_a_trip on Sunday January 14 2018, @08:42PM (5 children)
Young people become old people really fast. When the big 3 0 approaches, you are no longer "young". After that you'll stay old until you die.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday January 14 2018, @10:34PM
Die young and give all your money to my pension fund.
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday January 14 2018, @10:47PM (3 children)
...but some of us refuse to ever grow up.
-- OriginalOwner_ [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday January 14 2018, @11:11PM (2 children)
You moved out of your mother's basement when you buried her in the basement and you moved into your dead mother's room.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday January 14 2018, @11:56PM
You should write movie scripts. Oh, wait. [wikipedia.org]
Mom's still on this side of the grass, on the other end of the country.
Her folks lived into their late 80s and she's passed their marks.
Wouldn't be surprised if she outlived us all.
-- OriginalOwner_ [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday January 15 2018, @12:57AM
Sure Norman, sure.
(Score: 2) by TheReaperD on Tuesday January 16 2018, @02:30PM
I am old people, you insensitive clod!
Ad eundum quo nemo ante iit