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TIL about Detroit Electric
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jaykrown
lemmy.world

jaykrown@lemmy.world
Joined: 2024-11-20
Posted: · edited   Subject: TIL about Detroit Electric

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit_Electric

260   Original
jaykrown
lemmy.world

jaykrown@lemmy.world
Joined: 2024-11-20
#2 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

How did they let these die? They're so stylish, we should bring them back immediately except with solid state batteries that can let them drive 200+ miles and charge in 5 minutes.

24
Lost_My_Mind
lemmy.world
Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.world
Joined: 2024-05-07
#3 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

How did they let these die? They're so stylish, we should bring them back immediately except with solid state batteries that can let them drive 200+ miles and charge in 5 minutes.

I'd buy that.

3
jaykrown
lemmy.world

jaykrown@lemmy.world
Joined: 2024-11-20
#4 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

I'd buy that.

I think one of these except more modern with all the advanced necessary features would actually be awesome.

5
jaykrown
lemmy.world

jaykrown@lemmy.world
Joined: 2024-11-20
#5 Posted: · edited   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

I'd buy that.

Like this thing

-19
Lost_My_Mind
lemmy.world
Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.world
Joined: 2024-05-07
#6 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

I think one of these except more modern with all the advanced necessary features would actually be awesome.

But we gotta keep the 1920s car design. You csn put a modern battery, and bluetooth, and inputs for auxilery audio devices, and modern stereo syatem, and gps, and all this other stuff......but we gotta keep the old car vibe.

8
mkwt
lemmy.world
mkwt@lemmy.world
Joined: 2023-06-18
#7 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

But we gotta keep the 1920s car design. You csn put a modern battery, and bluetooth, and inputs for auxilery audio devices, and modern stereo syatem, and gps, and all this other stuff......but we gotta keep the old car vibe.

Without the monocoque, I doubt it can pass modern crash safety tests. Nor is there any safe place to install air bags.

11
waterSticksToMyBalls
lemmy.world
waterSticksToMyBalls@lemmy.world
Joined: 2023-12-31
#8 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

Like this thing
[removed by moderator]
26
darklamer
feddit.org

darklamer@feddit.org
Joined: 2026-02-19
#9 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

I always knew that reading Donald Duck comic books would pay off one day, I've known about these since I was a child, that's Grandma Duck's car!

17
zurohki
aussie.zone
zurohki@aussie.zone
Joined: 2023-06-21
#10 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

How did they let these die? They're so stylish, we should bring them back immediately except with solid state batteries that can let them drive 200+ miles and charge in 5 minutes.

Those older cars with the huge windows and great visibility handled rollover accidents by crushing the heads and necks of everyone inside.

At some point we decided the passenger cabin shouldn't be the primary crumple zone, so you can't make cars like that anymore.

45
spongebue
lemmy.world
spongebue@lemmy.world
Joined: 2023-07-10
#11 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

But we gotta keep the 1920s car design. You csn put a modern battery, and bluetooth, and inputs for auxilery audio devices, and modern stereo syatem, and gps, and all this other stuff......but we gotta keep the old car vibe.

Honestly, people love to shit on the PT Cruiser but at least it tried to be a little different - arguably in a cool retro way!

4
Tim_Bisley
piefed.social
Tim_Bisley@piefed.social
Joined: 2025-03-12
#12 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

There were quite a few electric cars, they started in the late 1800s made by multiple companies. Shit they even had electric trains.

14
resipsaloquitur
lemmy.cafe
resipsaloquitur@lemmy.cafe
Joined: 2026-04-14
#13 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

BS. It took a genius the level of Elon and his superior genetics to think of putting an electric motor in a car.

36
hoch
lemmy.world
hoch@lemmy.world
Joined: 2023-08-02
#14 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

[removed by moderator]

what a useful comment, so proud of you

-17
The Velour Fog
lemmy.world

Blackfeathr@lemmy.world
Joined: 2023-06-12
#15 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

Like this thing

Gross.

7
Possibly linux
lemmy.zip

possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip
Joined: 2023-06-26
#16 Posted: · edited   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

Honesty it seems like a decent car

I'm honesty surprised they managed to get 80 miles of range. That's pretty much what you get with a older Nissan leaf

17
Possibly linux
lemmy.zip

possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip
Joined: 2023-06-26
#17 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

How did they let these die? They're so stylish, we should bring them back immediately except with solid state batteries that can let them drive 200+ miles and charge in 5 minutes.

I don't think you can just magically make a battery that goes that long without serious engineering work

0
undefined
lemmy.hogru.ch

undefined@lemmy.hogru.ch
Joined: 2024-11-07
#18 Posted: · edited   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

what a useful comment, so proud of you

I was scrolling quick so I didn’t notice it was slop until I saw the comment so strangely enough it was actually more useful than I would’ve otherwise initially guessed.

8
undefined
lemmy.hogru.ch

undefined@lemmy.hogru.ch
Joined: 2024-11-07
#19 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

I wish it would’ve gone into how the battery worked. I just can’t imagine that that part of it was too great.

4
Lost_My_Mind
lemmy.world
Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.world
Joined: 2024-05-07
#20 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

Like this thing

Yeah, I'd totally drive a non-taxi labeled version of that! That looks awesome!

Wait....who is driving? Oh no bear is driving! How can this be??? Show me the money! Oh no!

1
SirEDCaLot
lemmy.today
SirEDCaLot@lemmy.today
Joined: 2023-11-04
#21 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

I wish it would’ve gone into how the battery worked. I just can’t imagine that that part of it was too great.

It was lead acid batteries, same as are used today in most gasoline cars to start the engine. That technology has been around for a very long time. It worked for car like this because the car itself was very light, and it didn't go that fast maybe 30 mph or so peak speed. So the power consumption was way way way less than a modern electric vehicle.

10
undefined
lemmy.hogru.ch

undefined@lemmy.hogru.ch
Joined: 2024-11-07
#22 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

It was lead acid batteries, same as are used today in most gasoline cars to start the engine. That technology has been around for a very long time. It worked for car like this because the car itself was very light, and it didn't go that fast maybe 30 mph or so peak speed. So the power consumption was way way way less than a modern electric vehicle.

Okay, that kind of makes sense. I was looking into solar and automatic switching (no grid tie) and was surprised to see those batteries being used as (smaller) options.

1
deadbeef79000
lemmy.nz
deadbeef79000@lemmy.nz
Joined: 2023-06-17
#23 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

Honestly, people love to shit on the PT Cruiser but at least it tried to be a little different - arguably in a cool retro way!

The PT Cruiser looked amazing.

I'd be very happy if more manufacturers took similar style risks.

Buuuut, apparently we get the swasticar cyber truck.

4
P00ptart
lemmy.world
P00ptart@lemmy.world
Joined: 2024-07-26
#24 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

BS. It took a genius the level of Elon and his superior genetics to think of putting an electric motor in a car.

All he did was put up investment money.

5
P00ptart
lemmy.world
P00ptart@lemmy.world
Joined: 2024-07-26
#25 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

The PT Cruiser looked amazing. I'd be very happy if more manufacturers took similar style risks. Buuuut, apparently we get the swasticar cyber truck.

This is why most cars these days are black, white or grey. "We don't want something someone WANTS to look at, just something that isn't offensive to the eyes" (sports cars don't count here)

3
P00ptart
lemmy.world
P00ptart@lemmy.world
Joined: 2024-07-26
#26 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

Like this thing

You killed 3 fish and made a retiree not able to pay her utilities for that picture. Proud of you.

7
finallymadeanaccount
lemmy.world

finallymadeanaccount@lemmy.world
Joined: 2025-12-31
#27 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

Remember when thought was given to the beauty of the design of cars (like above), and nowadays we have the mutant electric shaver that is Teslas?

7
Tattorack
lemmy.world

Tattorack@lemmy.world
Joined: 2023-10-28
#28 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

Remember when thought was given to the beauty of the design of cars (like above), and nowadays we have the mutant electric shaver that is Teslas?

I dunno. I recently saw the new Twingo and it's a very nice and cute looking car. Their 2025 hatchback was also very cool and futuristic looking.

4
jaykrown
lemmy.world

jaykrown@lemmy.world
Joined: 2024-11-20
#29 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

You killed 3 fish and made a retiree not able to pay her utilities for that picture. Proud of you.

Tell that to the fucking billionaires, not me.

-9
jaykrown
lemmy.world

jaykrown@lemmy.world
Joined: 2024-11-20
#30 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

I was scrolling quick so I didn’t notice it was slop until I saw the comment so strangely enough it was actually more useful than I would’ve otherwise initially guessed.

I feel so bad for you, what a confusing existence.

-3
jaykrown
lemmy.world

jaykrown@lemmy.world
Joined: 2024-11-20
#31 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

Remember when thought was given to the beauty of the design of cars (like above), and nowadays we have the mutant electric shaver that is Teslas?

The cyber truck is disgusting. It's what happens when you give billionaires all the decision making authority. It seriously looks similar to a dumpster.

14
jaykrown
lemmy.world

jaykrown@lemmy.world
Joined: 2024-11-20
#32 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

BS. It took a genius the level of Elon and his superior genetics to think of putting an electric motor in a car.

You know some absolute dumbasses would actually believe that.

30
P00ptart
lemmy.world
P00ptart@lemmy.world
Joined: 2024-07-26
#33 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

Tell that to the fucking billionaires, not me.

You're fucking using it. That's like getting diabetes by eating shitloads of McDonald's and blaming McDonald's for it. Or a bartender blaming Phillip morris for second hand smoke.

5
jaykrown
lemmy.world

jaykrown@lemmy.world
Joined: 2024-11-20
#34 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

Honesty it seems like a decent car I'm honesty surprised they managed to get 80 miles of range. That's pretty much what you get with a older Nissan leaf

Yea it was an actually decent car. We went the easy route and fucked up the planet by choosing the internal combustion engine.

7
jaykrown
lemmy.world

jaykrown@lemmy.world
Joined: 2024-11-20
#35 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

You're fucking using it. That's like getting diabetes by eating shitloads of McDonald's and blaming McDonald's for it. Or a bartender blaming Phillip morris for second hand smoke.

I already don't eat beef, own an electric car, and don't have kids. Stop pointing at me as if I'm the problem. You don't know shit about me, don't tell me what to do.

-7
crimson_iris
piefed.social
crimson_iris@piefed.social
Joined: 2026-03-31
#36 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

The cyber truck is disgusting. It's what happens when you give billionaires all the decision making authority. It seriously looks similar to a dumpster.
[deleted]
9
IWW4
lemmy.zip
IWW4@lemmy.zip
Joined: 2025-07-12
#37 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

The cyber truck is disgusting. It's what happens when you give billionaires all the decision making authority. It seriously looks similar to a dumpster.

The really horrible part is Teslas used to actually look great.

Their body stylings are petty lousy lately, but then again so are most modern cars.

4
Brummbaer
pawb.social

Brummbaer@pawb.social
Joined: 2026-02-11
#38 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

[deleted]

Also less people die in dumpster fires.

8
grue
lemmy.world
grue@lemmy.world
Joined: 2023-06-13
#39 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

Without the monocoque, I doubt it can pass modern crash safety tests. Nor is there any safe place to install air bags.

What "monocoque?" That was made so long ago they were still talking about coachwork!

4
captainlezbian
lemmy.world
captainlezbian@lemmy.world
Joined: 2023-06-29
#40 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

Remember when thought was given to the beauty of the design of cars (like above), and nowadays we have the mutant electric shaver that is Teslas?

No, by the time I was born beauty was secondary to aerodynamics. It was the right decision, but I do understand what we lost is something to be sad we've lost.

With teslas my bigger issue is build quality. Though the dumpster they sell is ironically one of the few deviations from the modern prioritization of aerodynamics over aesthetics, it's just done by someone who doesn't understand good taste. Compare it to those Honda EVs to see a similar idea done much more beautifully.

9
Godric
lemmy.world

Godric@lemmy.world
Joined: 2023-07-09
#41 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

But we gotta keep the 1920s car design. You csn put a modern battery, and bluetooth, and inputs for auxilery audio devices, and modern stereo syatem, and gps, and all this other stuff......but we gotta keep the old car vibe.

Nah buddy, 30's design is where it's at, look at this thing:

6
undefined
lemmy.hogru.ch

undefined@lemmy.hogru.ch
Joined: 2024-11-07
#42 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

I already don't eat beef, own an electric car, and don't have kids. Stop pointing at me as if I'm the problem. You don't know shit about me, don't tell me what to do.

We know you’re using AI to generate slop and that’s precisely what we’re blaming you for.

3
captainlezbian
lemmy.world
captainlezbian@lemmy.world
Joined: 2023-06-29
#43 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

There were quite a few electric cars, they started in the late 1800s made by multiple companies. Shit they even had electric trains.

One of the wildest things to me is how many places need to move their public transit systems back to from grid electric. Electric trains are awesome. But I'm also of the opinion that the motor/dynamo is akin to the wheel in how fundamentally important and valuable it is.

2
P00ptart
lemmy.world
P00ptart@lemmy.world
Joined: 2024-07-26
#44 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

I already don't eat beef, own an electric car, and don't have kids. Stop pointing at me as if I'm the problem. You don't know shit about me, don't tell me what to do.

"I am not a pedophile, I don't mass murder, I don't staple cats to trees. I'll publicly piss on anyone I want! You don't know shit about me, don't tell me I can't piss on strangers."

That's you. That's what you sound like.

1
hoch
lemmy.world
hoch@lemmy.world
Joined: 2023-08-02
#45 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

"I am not a pedophile, I don't mass murder, I don't staple cats to trees. I'll publicly piss on anyone I want! You don't know shit about me, don't tell me I can't piss on strangers." That's you. That's what you sound like.

You're fucking mental

-2
P00ptart
lemmy.world
P00ptart@lemmy.world
Joined: 2024-07-26
#46 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

You're fucking mental

Thank you. At least you didn't try to tell me I'm wrong.

2
Possibly linux
lemmy.zip

possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip
Joined: 2023-06-26
#47 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

Yea it was an actually decent car. We went the easy route and fucked up the planet by choosing the internal combustion engine.

Combustion engines are way better

Only now are we even seeing electric cars that can complete.

-6
hardcoreufo
lemmy.world
hardcoreufo@lemmy.world
Joined: 2023-07-09
#48 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

You know some absolute dumbasses would actually believe that.

Well Elon does.

9
hardcoreufo
lemmy.world
hardcoreufo@lemmy.world
Joined: 2023-07-09
#49 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

Combustion engines are way better Only now are we even seeing electric cars that can complete.

If we spent 100+ years focused on electric it would be better.

13
Duamerthrax
lemmy.world
Duamerthrax@lemmy.world
Joined: 2023-08-27
#50 Posted:   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

If we spent 100+ years focused on electric it would be better.

The motors were fine. It was advances in battery tech that made pure EVs viable. Really, hybrids should have been a thing a lot earlier. Series Hybrid tech has been moving trains, ships and industrial equipment for decades before the Prius(Parallel Hybrid) hit the market.

7
pimento64
sopuli.xyz

pimento64@sopuli.xyz
Joined: 2023-08-15
#51 Posted: · edited   Subject: Re: TIL about Detroit Electric

I already don't eat beef, own an electric car, and don't have kids. Stop pointing at me as if I'm the problem. You don't know shit about me, don't tell me what to do.

Did you use your AI to generate some stigmata on your body too? Get over yourself.

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