Nissan has built an Electric Pickup, and you can't have one

by
in hardware on (#2SZZ)
Anyone who doesn't have a pickup needs a friend with one. The design's utility is timeless, as is our occasional need to haul cargo. We're still waiting for an electric pickup, but in the meantime here's Sparky, a converted Nissan Leaf. Engineers Roland Schellenberg and Arnold Moulinet, eager to do a little team-building and create a cool way of moving stuff around Nissan's 3,050-acre Stanfield, Arizona testing facility, led the project.

The front-half is original, but the bed comes from a Nissan Frontier pickup truck. The rear section of the cabin came from a junk Nissan Titan, complete with a power rear window.

http://www.wired.com/2014/09/nissan-builds-funky-electric-pickup-cant/

Another option is the ultra-lightweight 275 lb (125 kg) GO-Easy trailer that the smallest cars, or even a motorcycle can easily tow. It also converts into a tent trailer for camping.

http://www.gizmag.com/go-easy-ultralight-trailer-camper/33328/
Reply 14 comments

Not a pickup (Score: 2)

by kwerle@pipedot.org on 2014-09-28 19:39 (#2T00)

That's not a pickup. That's a VW with the back chopped.

Re: Not a pickup (Score: 1)

by evilviper@pipedot.org on 2014-09-29 08:17 (#2T08)

I believe the 3rd sentence of the summary already says just that...

Never-the-less, a pickup today is practically unrecognizable from a pickup from 20 years ago. Today they're part small luxury car, part minivan, and only part pickup.

You might well just be looking at what pickups will morph into, in another 20 years, as astronomical oil price cause people to demand fuel efficiency combined with more cargo hauling capabilities than a hatchback can possibly offer. Perhaps fuel efficiency and crash worthiness rules will tighten up so much that compact pickups get to be just that small and aerodynamic, too.

Re: Not a pickup (Score: 1)

by zafiro17@pipedot.org on 2014-09-29 09:40 (#2T0A)

Depending on how things go, the pickup of the future could easily be ... a donkey.

I'm not feeling good about things.

Re: Not a pickup (Score: 1)

by kwerle@pipedot.org on 2014-09-30 03:15 (#2T0S)

I guess I have a different perspective - since my pickup is about 20 years old.

But seriously, he aggi freshmen that show up every year, driving new F150/250's look a whole lot like my nearly 20 year old pickup. The thing in the article doesn't look much like any of 'em.

Re: Not a pickup (Score: 1)

by evilviper@pipedot.org on 2014-09-30 03:43 (#2T0V)

But seriously, he aggi freshmen that show up every year, driving new F150/250's look a whole lot like my nearly 20 year old pickup.
I suppose some of them do... Most of them, though, have extended/crew cabs, shorter beds to compensate for the cab extension, tiny 4-cyl engines, more and more of them are compact pickups, exteriors are rounded, and interiors are plush, with power-everything and feather-weight accelerator, brakes, etc.

An electric vehicle is necessarily going to look a bit different. No more need for the big prominent front grill for the radiator, and the engine compartment in general will be far smaller in comparison. But compare the two, and there are more similarities than differences:

* http://www.moibibiki.com/images/nissan-truck-red-1.jpg

* http://www.guysgab.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/2013-Nissan-Frontier-Pro4X-1.jpg

* http://www.wired.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Leaf-Truck-6.jpg

Re: Not a pickup (Score: 1)

by reziac@pipedot.org on 2014-10-08 03:48 (#2T5Z)

Bah. Pickups changed in 1997 and they ain't been the same since.

...says the person driving a 1991 F-350.

Well thats just fine... (Score: 2, Funny)

by eviljim@pipedot.org on 2014-09-29 02:05 (#2T04)

cause I don't want one... really...<sniff>

$3,000 (Score: 0)

by Anonymous Coward on 2014-09-29 13:25 (#2T0E)

I really want that little trailer, but it's $2K to $3K. :(

Re: $3,000 (Score: 1)

by evilviper@pipedot.org on 2014-09-30 00:55 (#2T0J)

Well, I took a quick look and found some different lightweight trailers much cheaper. They might be suitable alternatives, depending on your needs:

$240: http://www.amazon.com/Haul-Master-42708-Capacity-Utility-Trailer/dp/B00EZLP3MK/

$400: http://www.amazon.com/Yukon-Tracks-Trail-Warrior-Trailer/dp/B001RPD130/

Re: $3,000 (Score: 0)

by Anonymous Coward on 2014-09-30 01:36 (#2T0N)

Thanks for taking the time, EP. I'd mostly want it for hauling 4-5 bicycles or extra luggage on trips. That second link is an off road only trailer though:

" Note This trailer is not rated for on-road use. Do not pull this trailer behind cars, trucks or motorcycles."

Re: $3,000 (Score: 1)

by evilviper@pipedot.org on 2014-09-30 03:17 (#2T0T)

Looks like the cheap one is available much cheaper, still...

Harbor Freight sells it for $190, currently, which combined with the 20% off coupons they litter the country with, is only $152+tax. Their less common 25% off coupons make it just $143+tax.

* http://www.harborfreight.com/870-lb-capacity-40-inch-x-49-inch-heavy-duty-utility-trailer-with-8-inch-wheels-and-tires-42708.html

Some plywood for a base, cut-out to accommodate the 2x4s for the sides, shouldn't add too much more cost or weight to it.

Re: $3,000 (Score: 0)

by Anonymous Coward on 2014-10-01 15:09 (#2T1J)

Dude, you're kind of selling me on this. :)

At that price level it beats most of the bike and cargo carrier alternatives, and is arguably more aerodynamic to boot. Even has good "reviews" on their site. Hmmmm....

Thanks!