I don't mind the appearance if it serves a function, but what's the function? An electric truck wouldn't need a traditional engine compartment.

They aren't/weren't all going to be EVs. Originally the USPS was looking at 10% EVs and 90% internal combustion but there were a bunch of challenges to that (including that ratio being based on incorrect environmental impact data). Now it's 75% EVs in the first order of 60,000 and future orders may be that high or higher (currently expected that it will be all EVs starting in 2026).

sources: article and wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oshkosh_NGDV)

One benefit of a low hood is that it scoops up pedestrians that might get hit instead of hitting their torsos with the vehicle. It'll probably break your legs, but you are more likely to survive.

This is one of the reasons that SUVs and large trucks are deadly: it's basically hitting you directly in the chest cavity.

According to Wikipedia[1]:

> Four variants of the NGDV are expected to be in fleet use: both gasoline-powered and battery-electric, in either front wheel drive or all wheel drive.

So I expect the front hood is for the gas powered engine for those variants. Further down, it talks about only 10% will be EV at the start due to cost. Also, this is in partnership with Ford so the ICE power train is the from the Ford Transit van.

[1]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oshkosh_NGDV

To have easy side entry the front wheels need to be in front of the driver. So you need something to cover the front suspension and hold up lights. Try drawing a flat nose version of this vehicle that maintains the same ease of access.

A crumple zone?

i guess they could have made it flat nosed like a bus?? are they putting the batteries in the nose? it looks like the cargo part is too low for them to be placed under there. also, gotta put that ac somewhere. probably makes it easier to work on under the little hood than having to climb on top of the truck.