[TheEnemy]

This is probably going to be just a thought exercise, but who knows.

What I am designing is a midsized truck that would best fit what I plan on using it for. 4 doors, (seating for 4-6 depending on bench or bucket seats). The bed should be big enough to hold a 4X8' sheet of plywood preferably with the tailgate closed. Approximate MPGe of 40-50 highway at 75mph. It would have a 9-12 inches of ground clearance with a skinned underside. The truck would likely weigh 4000-5000 lbs, with a target payload of 2000+lbs and a towing rating of 4000+lbs.

It would be a series electric hybrid with an electric only range of 40-100 miles

Frame/body
Tubular roll cage style with the body pannels and interior bolted/screwed to the frame. This should allow easy replacement of damaged body panels and a very strong rigid frame.

Engine
Approx 100hp 4cyl turbo boxer that powers the generator, it can also be connected to the driveline when extra power is needed or when the batteries are depleted.

Electric motors
Option 1: two 50 to 75 hp motors one for the front, and one for the rear giving the truck all wheel drive. (my preference even though it will not be as efficient and more complicated)

Option 2: One 100 to 150hp motor driving either the front or rear wheels (rear is my preference on a truck)

Transmissions
On option 1 there would be 2 transmissions one for the front and one for the rear. One transmission could be shifted then the other to smooth out the shifting

On option 2 there would be only 1 transmission.
For each option the transmissions would be servo shifted manuals that would act like an automatic, but also allow for paddle shifting or some other version of manual operation. Only the transmission that can be coupled to the gas engine would need or even use a clutch.

Suspenssion
The front would be a double A arm with tortion bars. The rear to save space for the cargo bed and to do away with the typical live axle, would use a lower H frame and a coil over shock. Its hard to explain without a picture but the shock mount actually holds the angle of the tire and both the H frame and shock keeps the assembly from rotating.

General shape
The front would be semi wedge much like the front end of the prius, which would allow for a decent hood allowing for easier access to work on the engine and related components than the ideal aero shape would allow. All curves would be smoth with very little transition from hood to windshield to roofline. The rear would encorporate a aero shell with permanent sides and a removable top to allow larger items to be put in the back.

Solar Panels
The roof hood and aero shell would have solar panels to collect sun energy, this would allow many people to not have to even charge from home power and not use any fuel depending on what their daily commute is like.