Hi
In order to be 'road legal' the U.K law states you must display a number plate at the front and rear of the vehicle which must conform to certain rules.
I couldn't see any number plates on the photos and videos I've seen so far of the Aptera.
Obviously having a number plate will increase drag.
Have you a solution for this as most countries require number plates?
I'm a commercial designer or over twenty years who might have a solution.
However it would involve extensive research time to verify it would be legal, or that it could become legal in future.
This solution could be applied to all electric vehicles so I'd rather not give any details to you on an open forum I'm afraid.
If you, the Aptera team, wish to contact me then I'd be willing to chat as I think you've got a great product and I may have a simple design solution.
Best wishes. Pete
There are car number plates in small sizes to stick on the car.
Pete, it is good to see you in the forum. Aptera has people working on homologation and has not run into show stoppers at this point.
If you watch the launch video you will see the Noir vehicle has a California motorcycle plate on the rear, which is all it requires here.
Do motorcycles require front plates in the UK?
At least in the US, Aptera is registered in every state as a motorcycle, as cars must have 4 wheels, so car rules don't apply. I don't think any state in the US requires front plates on a motorcycle.
As of this year Wisconsin has a separate Autocycle license category. They must be manufactured to meet motorcyle standards at a minimum, however. https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/dmv/vehicles/title-plates/misc.aspx
Looks like Japan (and perhaps other places) could use a special front license plate mounting adapter to reduce drag.
Don't know if Aptera Motors has anyone currently working on issues of getting their Aptera approved for importing into Japan.
The license plate space in the back is too small for Europe. (Well I know Holland for a fact) It will have impact on the drag coefficient. I hope Aptera has any idea how to solve this.
Hi,
I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news but in the UK it would be classed as a car.
I have good friend who built his own 3 wheeler manay years ago (a Morgan replica with a Motoguzi bike engine).
He's given me a brief run-down on 3 wheeler UK law.
All warning/hazard and indicator lights (inc. rear fog lamp) have to be fitted whether the engine is running or not. So if you're battery goes flat you still have to display hazard warning lights.
Next number plates must be fitted front and back.
The list goes on I'm afraid.
I have a possible solution to the number plate issue that shouldn't affect drag, untested and un-researched so far, but an idea of a solution.
Wishing you all the best.
Pete
P.S I've also got solutions to other issues I can forsee you're going to encounter.
Aptera has a Eurpean holomogation expert working on these issues already. It would not be out of the question to see an amendment to some of these laws before the cars are ready to ship, as is true for a couple of US states, including New York. We will see....
Then build the 4 wheel version
O.K. Glad you've sorted it.
Look forward to seeing it over here.
Best wishes, happy Christmas and a successful new year.
cheers and out,
Pete
If you can't get around the number plates in the front, a solution would be to build them into the chassis, and make a transparent cover, as you doo wih the front lights. But you have probably already thought of that :-)
If states would print the number plates on stretch vinyl with appropriate adhesive to make the plates more or less permanent the problem would be solved with no impact on aerodynamic drag.
In Finland, motorcycle license plates are 200mm(height) x 165mm(width) in size. Anyone happen to know, what is the plate area size on the back tail of Aptera? Seems pretty small. Is it 7inchx4inch? Finnish Motorcycle Association have asked ministry to legalize smaller plates in two different sizes. Let's see how it turns out. Even existing motorcycles are in trouble because of too big plate.
@Petri Hietanen
Have you considered that the Aptera cannot be registered in Finland for 3-wheeled vehicles because of its dimensions?
@loswa Yes, I am aware of that. Since Aptera is working to meet EU homologations, I presume that narrower and bit shorter Aptera is offered to European market. If not, then it will be what...an automobile?
stickers as license plates above drivers line of sight where rearview mirror would be, on windshield. aptera front end is fairly low too if thats helpful for legal reasons but above line of sight on windshield or bellow like where a parking ticket would be slipped into windshield wipers.
@Petri Hietanen
Do you believe in miracles?
https://www.aptera.us/forum/aptera-tech-questions/aptera-in-europe
No I don't, just guessing here. No need to be rude.
@ Petri Hietanen
Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude, just facing reality.
Ok, you are welcome. Let's see how it turns out. Since they have claimed that Aptera will be offered also to Europe, meeting all regulations, they must do some modifications. If not, then not. Life will go on. Would love to own Aptera thou.
My guess that if push came to shove, somebody could design an aerodynamic license plate holder. Maybe an illuminated transparent bubble-like plastic enclosure of sorts?
a making at least part of if not the whole of the front end a transparent material, then holding license plate via a holder inside, would be great use of what is currently apparently just empty space:
the rear space for license plate should be larger in case some law of the customers locality requires larger license plate: the red shows how much more wider space can exist for longer license plates
a accessory piece can be aerodynamic adaption to plate that goes outside the borders of rear end