[F2C]MaDMaXX

Ok, but what about 400lbs of engine?

Shadycoh

why bring logic to a panic moment.

yes I am sure anyone with a brain is going to tie down and secure the items in the frunk

bisonp

The engine is designed to absorb part of the impact and submarine under the cabin.

I'm not panicking, just pointing out something that interests me. Tying down cargo isn't going to prevent it from intruding through the firewall.

[F2C]MaDMaXX

The engine isn't designed to do that, prove me wrong, but that's all to do with the actual crash cell design, which i don't expect would change for the frunk, the passenger cell is still the same, things outside of it will behave the same way.

When an electric vehicle is made from an existing platform, i don't think it removes any of the crash stuff, the engine bay and trunk area are huge crunch areas, doesn't matter what's in them, the protected passenger cell is what has all the protection on it.

bisonp

Maybe, we'll find out I guess...eventually.

dalola

Keep in mind, this is a completely new chassis/platform, so you can't really relate crash structure to the ICE F150 platform.

Since the Frunk has an "official" spec from Ford for volume & weight, I'm sure they have done CAD simulation for crash at capacity, and are probably still crashing prototypes in various situations. I would expect good crash performance at rated load, or unladen. It's unlikely IIHS will test with a rated load, so we'll probably never know the actual results.

Either way, responsibility for common sense loading & securing of cargo, within specs, falls on the owner.

Flamingtaco

Lots of companies, Ford included, have been making mid engine vehicles for a long time. They've figures out what needs to be done.

400lb of tools is not the same as a 400lb engine block. Paper thin toolboxes break open upon crushing, and tools move around, accommodating intrusion into the space. If the impact is hard enough to force the EV motor to break away under the cab, the plastic that makes the floor and sides of the frunk is going to shatter, letting everything else in that space fall away as well.

I'm no more worried about some tools in a frunk intruding into the cab that I would be for the brake booster, battery, or engine in my 2015.

stainlessman

Its all about choice and economics. You see alot of XL and XLT's on the road because alot of poor saps can't afford the Limited. The Lighting MSRP should be hefty and alot that can afford it will never drive a electric anything. Thats choice. I see my girlfriends newphew a pharmacist with a tesla driving north to visit here has to stop at a charging station in Kittery to recharge for 30 minutes to make it home. He had his house loaded with solar to charge the tesla and thats fine. He makes $200.k a year and spends it as he wants. He works 30 minutes from home. So travel and charging for him is no issue. Again its choice. Its not my thing. Its not wrong someone wants to buy a Lighting. But for just as many who do just as many who never will no matter the cost.

7cbreeze

idrive

iTrader: (3)

^^ You live in Australia?^^

Reading the article... this is being tested in remote areas that would otherwise make EV travel impossible.

What’s Powering The Electric Car Charging Station? A Diesel Generator | Principia Scientific Intl. (principia-scientific.com)