Ask HN: What will be the future differentiator in electric vehicles?
Just a little side rant on “soul” since you mentioned it in a negative sense for EVs.<p>The “soul” term is marketing BS like the soul patch mustang logo Ford decided to sticker on to the chin of its EV.<p>If you ever see one, look at the front. It’s totally got a soul patch. Eww.<p>As far as engine noise or rumble and that wonderful visceral feeling of the pistons and crankshaft throwing their weight around, I would agree there is something utterly cool about that. As there is of the clip-clop of a cantering horse as well. But again, calling it “soul” is just clever deceptive words that marketing came up with.<p>If any car has soul, it’s one where the founder poured his passion for years, nearly went bankrupt, persevered, redefined the limits, led a workforce that did the effort of a lifetime to help make the company survive and push out its most successful product that continues to be unmatched, all driven by a mission... now THAT is a story of soul.<p>The gas car companies want to claim the word for themselves though, just because they have a nice rumble and some fire and smoke, but more because they realize they are in trouble. Fire and smoke are romantic, no doubt, but you can’t replace that with a soul patch.