I wonder what this is like for driver safety though - not a lot of crumple zone in that nose!

Not as much crumple zone as you might think in a "traditional" truck if most of the space is full of a solid metal block

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disqard 5 days ago | parent [-]

You're both right!

I noticed the lack of a "crumple zone" the instant I saw the image.

...and a moment later, I also realized it's usually a solid engine block that sits there. I shudder to think of what actually happens when that zone "crumples".

Back to the Telo MT1, it's great that they redesigned it from the ground up, around it being an EV -- it's like the Phelps Tractor having reins, and then somebody asking "why does it need to have reins if there's no horse?"

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Spooky23 5 days ago | parent | next [-]

Don't shudder, learn about it.

The engine is designed to move based on the design of the frame rails and mounts -- it is pushed under the passenger compartment, absorbing and deflecting more energy.

I'm sure the Telo is designed to modern standards and would perform similarly. I'd be more worried about expensive damage to the vehicle in less personally dangerous collisions.

	▲	gdudeman 5 days ago \| parent [-]
		This would be my concern. A fender bender hits the wheels on this thing and suddenly you're doing major surgery to repair it.

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spiderfarmer 5 days ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Decades of research, innovation, crash tests and rule changes have been put into improving safety in head on collisions. It’s not like you’re the first who wonders what will happen with engine block. It’s designed to go down.

Although I don’t know about American trucks. I think they are meant to wreak havoc on every single person involved.

	▲	cjblomqvist 5 days ago \| parent [-]
		My neighbour designs the crumble zone on Volvo's heavy duty trucks. They at least spend a shit ton of effort (continuous, multi-decade) on making anything hit by the truck having as little effect as possible (at least). Quite a challenge with heavy duty trucks shipping tens of tons of stuff, but anyway.

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apparent 5 days ago | parent | prev [-]

> ...and a moment later, I also realized it's usually a solid engine block that sits there. I shudder to think of what actually happens when that zone "crumples".

I believe the engine drops down and the rest crumples inward, at least in theory.