[–] 7 points 6 days ago*

These definitely exist. They are typically referred to as 'compliance cars' - i.e. the manufacturer is obligated, usually by regulations, to produce an EV, but they don't want to spend money designing a new platform for it - so they take an existing model, rip out the engine, cram a motor and batteries wherever they will fit and call it good. Examples: Volkswagen eGolf, Fiat 500e, Mercedes B Class EV. Ford Focus Electric...

However, doing this means you are constrained to the shape of the combustion vehicle it is based on. So the aerodynamics may not be optimal to get the best range, you may have a transmission tunnel taking up space in the interior that is no longer necessary, directly swapping the position of the engine and the motor/inverter means you lose the opportunity to repurpose the front of the car for additional storage - ultimately it ends up compromised in one way or another.

If on the other hand you design the platform from the ground up to handle an electric drivetrain then all of these points can be taken into account.

(And regarding cars in general becoming rolling computers: this is not an EV specific issue, unfortunately.)

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  • [–] 2 points 1 month ago

    Warhammer 40,000: Darktide. So yeah, I'm super fucked.

    Although, I would be a cyborg (Skitarii) with a pretty sweet collection of servo skulls and a cool weapon, so I've got that going for me.

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  • [–] 13 points 2 months ago
    • Tesla absolutely sell software locked heated seats as DLC, as well as subscriptions for "self driving" packages.
    • They will advertise/upsell their own services in their app, including free trials of their "premium" features.
    • If you think they are using your driving data (including camera feeds) in any responsible way then I have a bridge to sell you. There have been documented cases of Tesla employees watching their customers fuck on the interior cameras.

    For context - I used to own one.

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  • [–] 9 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (2 children)

    If this works in any way, shape or form for BMW then you can bet that any other manufacturer selling "connected vehicles" will sit up and take notice.

    If my brand new car started pushing dashboard ads to me, it would be rejected and returned to the dealer immediately. That is the only kind of pushback they would pay attention to.

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  • [–] 5 points 3 months ago

    If I'm not going far, not driving or not planning on spending much then yes, wallet stays at home.

    Otherwise, if I'm driving then I'm taking my driving license with me (you never know), if I'm making a purchase over the contactless limit then I need to take my actual card with me anyway, or if I'm away for a longer period then I might need cards that I don't have linked to my phone (like my corporate card - like fuck am I putting that in my phone).

    And for all that, I'd rather have a wallet instead of just a loose amalgamation of plastic in my pockets.

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  • [–] 2 points 3 months ago

    The PM is the head of government and is ultimately responsible and accountable for its actions and policies. They are also the head of their political party and thus will have a say on what policies are brought to the table (although they do still need to be voted on in the houses).

    Our PM is not technically the head of state (that's the King, from whose power the government derives its authority), however for all intents and purposes they may as well be.

    So yes, his resignation will have an impact.

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