Open source vehicles when?
In the end, that what we want. Open Source everything. Then everything can be repaired and learnt from.
When regulators make this reasonable. A lot of OEMs are interested in FOSS, but liability makes it hard - especially for safety critical domains.
None of this is specific to EVs, or somehow more necessary in EVs.
Sure it is happening to all vehicles, however with an ICE vehicle I have the option to buy an older pre Internet connect vehicle.
EVs really only became a thing 10ish years ago. There just isn't a lot of them around to pick from, basically all have some anti privacy features.
This was happening before EVs.
But seldom in the motorbike space, I think?
Build your own if you can
You wouldnt download a car…
You will have to modify a older car with electric components. Its not for the faint of heart.
To be honest, you don't get a good or cheap EV out of that. Low kWh per mile and short range.
Can you make it road legal though? Or is that pretty much reserved to manufacturers?
there are companies that offer this. i think (at least in germany) it helps, that the structure of the car is kept intact, but there are probably still a lot of things the TÜV would like to check. i don't think it's easy (here) for a single person that does this once.
I'm sure it depends on your country
Of course. People been modding/building ICE vehicles forever. ICE are more dangerous.
are you suggesting I 3d print a Lamborghini?
I was actually quite interested in something like this in high school in the late 2000s. There were a few DIY EVs that existed that were just ICE vehicles with anything ICE taken out, an electric motor put in the engine's place, and several 12v batteries connected in series.
Of course, they're pretty crude compared to those we have today, but it's very possible.
