I often wondered where the weight comes from. I know its not bodyshells, I can't remember the figures now, but the difference between a Micra and a Qashqai bare body shell wouldn't have been more than about 50kg.EVs have a 30% weight penalty on average over their ICE equivalents.
Incidentally, where the weight comes from in modern cars is all in the cabin. Sound damping matetials, larger more padded seats, soft-touch materials, airbags, touchscreens, loudspeakers and instruments, all the little motors in the windows, seats, etc, plus the wiring loom to keep it all working.
Air Conditioning, power steering and ABS all add weight too, as do wider tyres on bigger wheels. Big wheels are one of the major contributors to "SUV" style cars being heavier than "regular" ones.
I'd love a bare bones version of a car that has the safety devices but none of the other tat that does not enhance the pleasurable experience I get from driving a well designed car. But I know I am a rare bird, no company would stay in business building what I want.
As an aside my car has two forward air bags, two side airbags, two overhead airbags that extend both sides of the car in the roof liner, seat belt pretensioners and pyothrusters that repel the seat to reduce the effect of whiplash. Plus ABS, traction control, collapsible steering column, etc. Its transverse engine has been pulled right back to maximise the length of the energy absorbing front crumple zone. Its seats 5 adults in comfort and has a 422 litre boot. Yet it weighs only 1450kg.
What is it? Some exotic carbon fibre tubbed/aluminium creation? Not likely, its a 2005 Volvo S80. A car built before the fashion for massive wheels and tat came along. Safe doesn't have to mean heavy.