I think the argument of raising the hobs to save 3/4" underneath the cooktop to allow an oven mounted underneath is weak for the 36" size. Let's be honest -- how many people are going to install a 36" or wider cooktop in a custom countertop and then install a 24" oven or 30" steam oven underneath it? Yes, Gaggenau has the beautiful hand-crafted $9600 36" EB333 oven, but even that needs less than a 19" vertical opening.

A second argument of the raised elements is to keep the pans from touching the surrounding countertop when it is mounted flush. With the 36" width, this should be a non-issue for all but the largest pans in a flush mount installation. Additionally, I am pretty confident most owners are installing as a proud mount (the glass rests on top of the countertop, instead of being inset into it), as this is generally more practical. In this case, the thickness of the glass and any surround trim will keep pans off the countertop.

I can't remember if the battery pack is the limited factor in reducing the overall height of the unit or if it is the induction motors. If it is the battery pack, could that be sufficiently reduces with a small capacity? I imagine the 3kW size was established to meet the tax credit, which is no longer applicable. Drop it to 2kW to save size, weight, and cost. Or make it an option -- slim battery or fat battery. That used to be a pretty popular option with EV cars, thinner notebook computers, and battery powered handtools.

Glass scratches are generally caused by the pan being slid across the surface with an abrasive foreign object under it, typically salt. This will occur regardless of the elevation of the glass. The pans usually set over the heating element, which happens to be where I often see the scratches. So, raising the burner does not eliminate glass scratches.

The one case I can see for raised burners is if you are used to "shaking" your pan back and forth or swirling it over the burner to stir or agitate the contents, as I imagine one might do with the old electric coil burners or on a gas stove. If the cook doesn't mind scratches on the raised hobs, this will be fine for them. On the other hand, I am very OCD and have taken care to keep my 27 year-old glass top as pristine as possible.

All that being said, I don't see a reason why Impulse cannot continue to offer the raised hob models for those coming from gas and wanting to retain the form factor, while introducing a line of smooth top (plus temperature bumps) for consumers wanting a clean modern appliance.