I love that these are cameras for the side mirrors, but this raises a few questions:
1) What's the range on the camera movement? I personally enjoy eliminating blind spots with proper placement, but you'd be amazed how many OEM's don't allow this by limiting the passenger side mirror too much to be effective. Here's an example of what I mean:
https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a15131074/how-to-adjust-your-mirrors-to-avoid-blind-spots/
2) Will the side mirrors lower when you go into reverse on the four-door model? Can that be an adjustable option? I normally just see passenger side however parking lots have curbs on both sides so I never understood why it's strictly designed for parallel parking most of the time. Three wheel model obviously has no need and is better to not lower if anything.
Seating questions:
3) What adjustment points exist for the seat? Are these motorized or manual?
4) If motorized, how many presets can exist?
5) I'm a two-foot driver (one on gas, one on brake), is the seat set up in a way that this driving style is still comfortable? I've had cars give me leg pain from biting into my hamstrings when driving this way.
6) What storage areas exist in the cabin? Cupholders, center console, sunglasses, etc.?
7) Is the glovebox large enough to hold full-size papers without bending? Service history etc.
Few extra questions:
8) What's the target cost for the three-wheel model? I've seen figures between $20k ane $40k so it's hard to keep track.
9) How has Covid impacted timeline and cost?
Been eyeballing this car ever since the Popular Mechanics article, I was in high school then and always wanted one. So glad to see it's happening! Can't wait!
Neat.
I guess we will all have a better idea late summer 2020 when the Development vehicles are built
You might find this techno interesting on blind spots :
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?view=detail&mid=93EAE6871841490FFEB593EAE6871841490FFEB5&shtp=Email&shid=d713c375-4079-4ca6-bda1-c029a021cbb9&shtk=MTQtWWVhci1PbGQgSW52ZW50cyBEcml2aW5nIFRlY2hub2xvZ3kgb2YgdGhlIEZ1dHVyZQ%3D%3D&shdk=QSAxNC15ZWFyLW9sZCBzdHVkZW50IG1heSBoYXZlIHJldm9sdXRpb25pemVkIHRoZSB3YXkgcGVvcGxlIGRyaXZlLiBBbGFpbmEgR2Fzc2xlciwgYSBmcmVzaG1hbiBhdCBBdm9uIEdyb3ZlIENoYXJ0ZXIgU2Nob29sIGluIFdlc3QgR3JvdmUsIFBlbm5zeWx2YW5pYSwganVzdCB3b24gYSAkMjUsMDAwIHByaXplIGZvciBwb3RlbnRpYWxseSBlbGltaW5hdGluZyB0aGUgYmxpbmQgc3BvdHMgb24gYSBjYXIuIEl0IGFsbCBzdGFydGVkIHdpdGggdGhlaXIgZmFtaWx54oCZcyBKZWVwIEdyYW5kIENoZXJva2VlLiBTaGUgdG9sZCBJbnNpZGUgRWRpdGlvbiB0aGF0IGhlciBtb20gbmV2ZXIgbGlrZWQgdG8gLi4u&shhk=gMT%2Fzt%2F8xhgi6TWyJ%2FqKaTrEyQlWHu6uhDLuvcwwxOw%3D&form=VDSHOT&shth=OSH.%252FOEw7pdDHIA7ti%252BDNCzBiw
I have those reverse lowering side view mirrors on my truck but...: I don’t live in an area with curbs so can’t share much on that. They seemed to have a purpose when I tried them once.
I guess proximity sensors could help,with the front wheels/covers, until experience is gained???
Regarding the price range I was reading ~ $34 to 56 k depending on battery pack/ range and model.... with future hope to offer more affordable models an maybe even only FWD
Hopefully there will be the Federal Incentive to deduct from that???
Lot “TBD“
We are all chomping at the bit.
I've never had that issue in a car I've driven, the blind spots are always in the back for me. Interesting concept I do like it! Mirrors are great for avoiding curbing the rear wheels but I have curbed a few front wheels since I can't really see them. Proximity sensors is something I've thought about for the front of my cars, would make parking in a tight garage easier. Sounds like you're describing a more modern "curb feeler" that uses sensors instead of a flexible rod (this was big in the 1950's when the cars were absolutely massive) Good to know on the price, I wouldn't need much range so lower sounds like what it would be for me. My 2017 Kia is still shy of 9,000 miles actually. I don't think Ohio has an incentive (yet, anyway?) federal I would have to check. Living in Cleveland, AWD would be king. Subarus are wildly popular here for that exact reason. I am used to FWD though. Which is actually another good point, I wonder how the three-wheel handles in the snow?
Ha... old technology.
I placed a set of the curb feelers on the first car. As I became experienced in city driving they came off. ( Ha! ha!They even had a strap you could ground to your chassis, that dragged on the road....to deal with static. Not a bad idea for an ICE/fueling. Not a EV issue!)
https://evcharging.enelx.com/resources/federal-and-state-electric-vehicle-incentives
It looks like Ohio’s present Federal Incentive is $2500-$7500 for a CAR but what will Aptera be??? Registered as a motorcycle. So an electric motorcycle or auto cycle incentive may prevail???
Given Aptera’s AWD (electric motor on each wheel with torque vectoring), lower center of gravity with battery packs ... it should be amazing. I was born and raised in NJ and always did well too with just FWD, good all season and/or snow tires. Who wanted poor 4WD drive economy most of the year.
I am now in a state where snow is not a concern, and the sun here fits nicely with the Aptera’s Never Charge. Exciting!
That's a solid point about motorcycle incentives, I don't know of many EV motorcycles (not terribly familiar with motorcycles but I've seen a few). Makes me wonder too! I'm glad my driveway faces due east and has no trees above it, sunshine all day long. Not many parking garages until you get into VERY downtown Cleveland, even then lots of parallel parking. Lucky you for escaping the snow :-)
Well the Federal Incentives On Tesla has been used up.
So any EV incentives is a plus. And with the Aptera super range... it could open it for future higher incentives. I am hoping I could also reap savings on repeating lower registration cost and maybe even a lower insurance premium
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Prompted by your asking about EV incentives, I did a little research. Turns out 2 and 3 wheeled EV's can qualify for up to a Federal $2500 rebate. (You only get it if you owe the IRS the year you bought the EV. No carry forward of the credit it you owe less in taxes. I got burned by that little detail.)
Aptera will need to apply to the Feds to make their car qualify.
In addition, it may qualify for state incentives where you live. Each state has different rules. New Jersey here is now quite EV friendly and would give you another $5000 off the price of the car and not charge sales tax when you buy it.
The qualification rule in NJ is if the EV qualifies for a rebate in California, it qualifies in NJ.
Here's 2 links about the Federal credit: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/plug-in-electric-vehicle-credit-irc-30-and-irc-30d and the details are in this tax document: (search for "wheeled"): https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/8/text
Thanks
Let’s hope things hold or get better 2021, looking forward!
Yes although NJ was an little more expensive place to live (born and raised there) they were more green friendly, when I think back on my PV electric array there (I.e.,SRECs)than what I have here in AZ
Oh incentives...Grab em while ya can!