There are diesel electric trains that have an engine that only powers a generator which provides the power for the electric motors which power the wheels. It is very efficient. Perhaps something like this could be done with the Aptera? Perhaps a small gas (hydrogen powered or bio fuel powered?) engine could run a generator which powers the electric motors in each wheel? (me thinking out loud).
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Back in 2007 Aptera had:
https://inhabitat.com/aptera-diesel-electric-hybrid/
but it never went into production.
It appears, from what I have been reading “for now “ it is all about efficiency by focusing on aerodynamics and lightweight. Also with the simplest design and components for ease of manufacture ( cost and time)
But who knows what the future holds?
true, who knows what the future holds.
the thing with diesel engines, one could adapt it for bio fuel or hydrogen gas. I wonder if there are any small diesel engines being used in generators?
I will check out the link.
Not many hydrogen refueling stations/options in the US yet
check out map:
https://plugstar.com/guide
Hoping for more electric charging too but with long range, Never Charge and easy 110v home charging ... Aptera is enticing and reduces that charging anxiety.
A complication of ICE engines is the need for radiators which add drag. Also batteries are pretty good now and charging infrastructure is plentiful compared to when the original aptera came out. The air conditioner, drive electronics, brakes and hub motors will also create significant waste heat and they will need a solution for this. Maybe body panels that articulate open when required to help cool things down. It would be cool if the aluminium body panels could act as radiators with a pumped glycol system but they wouldn't have enough surface area.... Unless those same body panels had fins on the underside and at low speed and high system temperatures they extruded outwards as required. Gold plated fins on a white body. Sick.
Suresh is right about the downsides of an ICE for this application. It's basically no longer needed.
If they want to squeeze out more range, there are basically 3 ways: 1.) making the CdA smaller, the 2.) mass lighter, and 3.) decrease tire width and go to low rolling resistance versions.
The structure can be made even smaller by optimizing passenger seating layout to reduce cross-sectional aerodynamic area. I imported the Aptera model into cad (someone had built a complete model in Onshape) and put some human figures in it. I roughly approximate the following:
1. CdA could be decreased by 15% if bench seating were used (might have to add a backbone structure to replace the longitudinal strength/load-bearing capacity that the current "tunnel" provides), or
2.) CdA could be decreased by45% if tandem seating arrangement were chosen.
These CdA decreases would result in some overall mass decrease as well. In addition, the decrease in CdA and mass means 3.) the tire patch can be shrunk to a 165/65R15 for no major difference in handling except increased comfort and bump compliance, with the advantage of less rolling friction.
https://www.aptera.us/forum/main/comment/604ed95b33a38a00151f78f9 this combustion system doesnt rely on drive shafts/crakshafts, and more