EVs with ground clearance

[blueST]

This is just out of curiosity really... In theory an EV is a tempting prospect for us, except I need a car with some ground clearance. Not Defender levels of ground clearance, or even 4wd, just a bit more ground clearance than you get in a normal hatch back, like a Subaru Forrester. Is anyone making (or planning) anything at the mass market, non-premium brand end of the spectrum that might fit the bill? A lot of the SUV type vehicles coming out seem to have almost no extra ground clearance over a regular car, just the body is taller.

[jjwilde]

The Cybertruck is your best bet.

[Dave_Rich]

I've seen videos of the I-Pace doing some mild off roading..

Unless of course you want to wait for a product that doesn't yet exist and may never come to Europe.

[blueST]

IPace is what I’d call premium and way to expensive. I’m thinking more EV equivelent of a Skoda Yeti.

[jason61c]

blueST said:

This is just out of curiosity really... In theory an EV is a tempting prospect for us, except I need a car with some ground clearance. Not Defender levels of ground clearance, or even 4wd, just a bit more ground clearance than you get in a normal hatch back, like a Subaru Forrester. Is anyone making (or planning) anything at the mass market, non-premium brand end of the spectrum that might fit the bill? A lot of the SUV type vehicles coming out seem to have almost no extra ground clearance over a regular car, just the body is taller.

I think the polestar 3 is just that.

[kambites]

blueST said:

IPace is what I’d call premium and way to expensive. I’m thinking more EV equivelent of a Skoda Yeti.

That's a pretty niche market, I think it'll take a while for it be to worth anyone filling.

EVs run low primarily for aerodynamic reasons. Jacking one up would have a significant effect on efficiency and hence range.

[Bobtherallyfan]

kambites said:

That's a pretty niche market, I think it'll take a while for it be to worth anyone filling.

EVs run low primarily for aerodynamic reasons. Jacking one up would have a significant effect on efficiency and hence range.

I can’t see how you can describe this as a niche market....small SUV/Crossovers are in huge demand.

[SWoll]

jason61c said:

blueST said:

This is just out of curiosity really... In theory an EV is a tempting prospect for us, except I need a car with some ground clearance. Not Defender levels of ground clearance, or even 4wd, just a bit more ground clearance than you get in a normal hatch back, like a Subaru Forrester. Is anyone making (or planning) anything at the mass market, non-premium brand end of the spectrum that might fit the bill? A lot of the SUV type vehicles coming out seem to have almost no extra ground clearance over a regular car, just the body is taller.

I think the polestar 3 is just that.

So Polestar is a non-premium, mass market brand now?

Bobtherallyfan said:

kambites said:

That's a pretty niche market, I think it'll take a while for it be to worth anyone filling.

EVs run low primarily for aerodynamic reasons. Jacking one up would have a significant effect on efficiency and hence range.

I can’t see how you can describe this as a niche market....small SUV/Crossovers are in huge demand.

He's talking about ground clearance not body style.

[jimbouk]

I’ve a Tesla model 3 performance and the ground clearance is an issue. Car parks with potholes and unlevel terrain need careful navigating. Had to get my passengers out on one occasion

[SWoll]

jimbouk said:

I’ve a Tesla model 3 performance and the ground clearance is an issue. Car parks with potholes and unlevel terrain need careful navigating. Had to get my passengers out on one occasion

No struggled in ours yet after 5k miles but rarely driven more than 2 up.

[blueST]

I think passenger cars in general, and especially EVs have got lower for economy reasons. This is not helpful to those of us that need to use unsealed roads. Admittedly this a small market but I’d be interested in one.

[kambites]

Bobtherallyfan said:

I can’t see how you can describe this as a niche market....small SUV/Crossovers are in huge demand.

Yes but no-body takes them off road so the actual demand is for something which looks like an SUV but in all other ways is a family hatchback.

[Bobtherallyfan]

kambites said:

Yes but no-body takes them off road so the actual demand is for something which looks like an SUV but in all other ways is a family hatchback.

Not actually true. Research has shown that one of the prime reason for buying them is increased ride height and the visibility improvement that can bring. Add in the fact that old people find them easier to get in/out and families find they can load the offspring plus associated gear = big potential market. Even a couple of inches extra can make all the difference my wife tells me......

[kambites]

Yes but EV crossovers do have the higher driving position. It's just the space under the floor, rather than being ground clearance, is a battery pack.

[blueST]

Unfortunately I need the clearance and I would give up some interior space for it.

[modeller]

used I-Pace?

[InitialDave]

How much ground clearance does the MG ZS have?

[Andeh1]

Compromise with a PHEV? lots more options of 4x4 then...

[blueST]

That or regular ICE will probably have to be the way for now

[blueST]

InitialDave said:

How much ground clearance does the MG ZS have?

Eh?