I have driven a plug-in for quite a while; 2013 Chevrolet Volt, 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV, and 2018 Chevrolet Volt.
I relish the quiet drive experience.
I hope Aptera makes good use of sound dampening materials on the interior of the vehicle. It makes a huge difference – even given a highly efficient aerodynamic design.
Look forward to your progress reports, design details, and hopefully parking an Aptera in my garage!
Yes this resin infused composite shell is not used in any other vehicle so it would be interesting to see a side by side decibel reading comparison with it and say a Tesla or other top commericaized EV...at say 60mph on a highway
We 'do' have the experience from Aptera V1.0 to draw upon - shell is essentially the same.
I just don't know how the V1.0 vehicle performed, noise wise. I'm particularly attuned to road noise.
This OLD Aptera YouTube video speaks a little to noise but with no meaningful values/comparisons..
https://youtu.be/QwHm6aefGLQ
e.g.
Some tire road noise at higher speeds
Some bounce
But I am hoping that the recently revealed news on:
✅Higher 1800 pound curb weight
✅Three in wheel motors, which also improve center of gravity
...will all help
I have not yet read of their latest choice on low roll resistance tires, which may help too.
When we moved to our location which has a lot of primitive roads we traded my wife’s car in and replaced with a vehicle that had Adaptive Suspension and it made a big difference. Some high end car manufacturers offer Adaptive , air suspension,etc... but that would add weight, cost and maybe overkill for Aptera I would imagine🤔
@Len actually air suspension reduces weight by several lbs. per corner typically, and has a better ride quality than steel spring suspension. the air tank/compressor/manifold may eat the weight savings, but that weight could be placed near the center and lower part of the vehicle for better handling and road feel.
@Rex 🤔 Aptera has a lot to focus on just to get things launched but we can wish for things that may have been issues for us and “at some point “ Aptera can possibly adapt to their 1800# vehicle “if needed” . And without a doubt, weight and cost will be big factors. My personal need is unique but potholes are a reality for all. My experience has only be with (AS) adaptive suspension with a much heavier vehicle and now I see some are adding air technology in addition to AS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMVbnPWUETM
But I imagine the resin wheel skirts may be a different substrate and generate some noise if gravel is expelled from the wheels. Of course the two front wheels are external/separate from the body whereas the single rear wheel is not.
I remember in the 70’s when I spray coated the entire underside of my vehicles for rust proofing ( Poor metal used in cars back then😔 and I lived on the east coast ) AND for sound deadening.
My wife has a high end vehicle and they have a wheel well finish that looks and feels like felt to deaden noise generated in the wheel well.
My concerns are not those of the general public ...
as I live in a state with lots of primitive roads. I personally commute seven miles to pavement. But it is a small price to pay...to live in nature🙂
Helium/air junctions and inducing inaudible vibration on panels are some light weight methods of reducing noise transmittance. The latter could be employed automatically by the car in response to ambient sound when say, driving on gravel. Soft bushings and a rattle free interior also go a long way. Nothing ruins my driving experience more than cabin rattles.