Not so fast… if we were all driving sub 3000lb cars then we wouldn’t need such beefy crash protection. The problem is when an 8000lb truck hits a 4000lb car, the car takes 2/3 of the impact force. If the truck was a reasonable sized 4500lb then the car could be reduced to 3000lb or less and be just as safe.
Also emissions would be less, and tires and brakes would last longer, and the car would likely just “last longer” since all the wear parts (ball joints, shocks, bushings, etc) would be either cheaper or last longer.
And the emissions requirements that are based on the footprint of the vehicle. So when a manufacturer has trouble meeting emissions standards they just have to make the car bigger and then its all good!
I know the context of needing full braking power in case of motor failure, but regen braking does exist in the event your car has a battery. There may be a balance that can be struck between the two.
Larger wheels allow larger brakes, to a point.
Which are only needed as a result of bigger and heavier cars.
Bigger and heavier cars are a result of improved crash test ratings, so it’s a worthy trade-off
Not so fast… if we were all driving sub 3000lb cars then we wouldn’t need such beefy crash protection. The problem is when an 8000lb truck hits a 4000lb car, the car takes 2/3 of the impact force. If the truck was a reasonable sized 4500lb then the car could be reduced to 3000lb or less and be just as safe.
Also emissions would be less, and tires and brakes would last longer, and the car would likely just “last longer” since all the wear parts (ball joints, shocks, bushings, etc) would be either cheaper or last longer.
And the emissions requirements that are based on the footprint of the vehicle. So when a manufacturer has trouble meeting emissions standards they just have to make the car bigger and then its all good!
Batteries are heavy, for now
I know the context of needing full braking power in case of motor failure, but regen braking does exist in the event your car has a battery. There may be a balance that can be struck between the two.
For now and forever.