I would email them directly to ask this question. Email to info@aptera.us At least initially, I do not believe it is their intent to do so but cannot confirm this. They seem very invested in the right to repair movement and have indicated they will work with owners to either repair their vehicles themselves or work with a repair shop of the owner's choice to repair their vehicle. More info on this can be found at:
I was thinking of those customers who would prefer to take it to the dealership. They would probably purchase maintenance plans. I would assume that there will be some sort of recommended scheduled inspection and maintenance (Tesla recommends inspections every 12k miles). I intend to repair my own vehicle but there are times when even I do not have the facilities, tools, and test equipment in my home garage to perform the work properly and safely. I can see the need for battery testing and inspections, lubrication of linkage and drive components, and replacement of worn parts. My Aperta will be a daily driver (about 10k miles a year) so I would go in for service about 1 time a year. There would also be some mid-level needs. Consider a battery cell going bad, a tire blowing out and damaging body composite, steering components damaged due to pot holes and curbs. These are not small jobs but they are not large either. Then there will be all types and sizes of repairs from accidents. Any repair to composite, EV, and Solar is specialized and probably cannot be provided by the local Auto Repair Shop. Some of Tesla's primary complaints are around service, repair, and turn around time. A regional Aperta service partner with facilities, parts, and expertise specifically suited for Aptera would be something to consider especially if the partner had cargo transport capabilities for pickup and delivery. The light weight of the vehicle (2200 lbs) means it can be loaded and hauled in a cargo trailer by a 3/4 ton pickup. Fast turn around is a must.
At the same time, I made an inquiry at the motor vehicle guild, which trains master craftsmen for specialized companies for hybrid and electric vehicles:
In the meantime, i have contacted a few companies:
1. Bosch:
The technicians have Lev. 1- 3 training as electricians for high voltage systems in motor vehicles. They would do repairs on the electronics and battery systems. Aptera must assure that the warranty is not voided by the intervention. A contact person at Aptera is required. The purchase of spare parts through Aptera must be guaranteed. Aptera must provide its wiring diagrams.
Bosch is official service point for electric street scooters of the German Post.
2. ATU:
By the way, ATU has 5 branches in the Netherlands.
ATU only services the AIWAYS brand and will also become a sales base for it.
In case of defects an AIWAYS technician comes on site (this seems to me unbelievable).
3. Car Guild:
They have not informed me of any appropriately trained workshops. They referred me to the existing car companies that should take care of an Aptera repair. However, I doubt that, since they want to sell their own electric vehicles.
Bruce, I also like the idea of monitoring. I manage computer system, network, and security monitoring. I would like to see a phone app with an interface to my Aptera that would notify me of any issues and allow me to interact with the system. Aptera's technicians would be able to connect as well. I would be concerned with security.
@loswa Except that the camera/cameras are actually mounted at the top of the windshield... The Founders have stated that the SafetyPilot system will be optical and not use radar and most fully-optical systems seem to use two-camera binocular set-ups - but we don't yet know if this is their intent.
Service by Bosch would be great, with thousands of centers worldwide, including America, & at least 2 near my own 40-mi commute. By the time most people need Aptera service, likely all the independent garages will have to start taking EVs, with many parts of the world banning new fossil car sales in 14 years or less.
Obviously there will eventually be some need, but so far I haven't even learned how quickly they're ramping up EV service, since my current 7-year-old BEV has needed none. Zero. Zip. Nada. (besides software updates, which I believe Aptera has "over-the-air")
Just America's Tires. The rest was DIY: 12v battery, cabin filter & a few lightbulbs. Some drivers have also needed to replace wipers. This is all very common for EVs. I read that VW is planning for EVs to cut their service income in HALF.
Here's my EV's maintenance schedule:
Each 20,000 miles: Inspect brakes, front suspension/steering, & cooling systems. Replace cabin filter.
Each 30,000 miles: Inspect brakes, CV joints & cooling systems
Each 10 years: Replace both coolants. THE END.
My drive battery & brakes are on track to last way more miles than I'm likely to drive before I'm dead, although the battery might die of old age before I do, but by that time it shouldn't cost much to replace.
Take a look at TESLA's insurance plan so far launched as a pilot only in California. Their intention is to afford owners insurance that is 30% less expensive than mainstream plans, a quick turn around, no hassle parts availability, access to factory trained service providers, a TESLA rental that would also inspire customer's to upgrade to their latest model, and other amenities.
There may be some line items for Aptera to emulate.
Rather than purchase an entirely new vehicle to upgrade, please consider a design that is upgradeable not only with your planned downloads but also by interchangeable or add-on components.
How should the independent repair be done. A tire change or the replacement of a battery block. The Aptera vehicle structure is closed. Must be disassembled the whole car.
At least in the US, Aptera has promised the availability of a trained service tech within 24 hours and shipment of parts overnight. Most electronic repairs will be a matter of unplugging and plugging connectors, and over the air diagnostics may mean that such issues can usually be determined from the factory.
Decades ago, I maintained environmental monitoring equipment in Europe and was occasionally able to surprise customers by showing up to service a piece of equipment before the owners of the installation even noticed that there was a potential issue. Apterae certainly will have this potential.
The Safety Pilot system is based on cameras, and we know that all the cars will have cameras built in. These could certainly be leveraged for security features, but as those of us who have worked in the field know, they can also be vectors for certain kinds of attack. It will never be possible to completely solve this problem, I fear,`unless it is through improving the general human condition.
I would email them directly to ask this question. Email to info@aptera.us At least initially, I do not believe it is their intent to do so but cannot confirm this. They seem very invested in the right to repair movement and have indicated they will work with owners to either repair their vehicles themselves or work with a repair shop of the owner's choice to repair their vehicle. More info on this can be found at:
https://www.aptera.us/post/giving-you-the-right-to-repair
If you are not a specialist for e-cars, and most of you will be, repairing them on your own becomes a problem.
After a lot of research, I have not found any automotive company that can repair e-cars, except for the companies that maintain their own brands.
They have to pass a special training.
Mechanics are only allowed to work on the high-voltage system of electric cars after more than 100 units of instruction.
The training is divided into three stages:
Level 1: Areas of the car without live parts may be serviced.
Level 2: Extensive work on the car, but not on the high-voltage system, is permitted.
Level 3: Extensive work on the entire car including the high-voltage system is permitted.
We need service partners in the respective countries or existing car companies (VW, Tesla, BMW etc.) to include the Aptera in the maintenance.
I was thinking of those customers who would prefer to take it to the dealership. They would probably purchase maintenance plans. I would assume that there will be some sort of recommended scheduled inspection and maintenance (Tesla recommends inspections every 12k miles). I intend to repair my own vehicle but there are times when even I do not have the facilities, tools, and test equipment in my home garage to perform the work properly and safely. I can see the need for battery testing and inspections, lubrication of linkage and drive components, and replacement of worn parts. My Aperta will be a daily driver (about 10k miles a year) so I would go in for service about 1 time a year. There would also be some mid-level needs. Consider a battery cell going bad, a tire blowing out and damaging body composite, steering components damaged due to pot holes and curbs. These are not small jobs but they are not large either. Then there will be all types and sizes of repairs from accidents. Any repair to composite, EV, and Solar is specialized and probably cannot be provided by the local Auto Repair Shop. Some of Tesla's primary complaints are around service, repair, and turn around time. A regional Aperta service partner with facilities, parts, and expertise specifically suited for Aptera would be something to consider especially if the partner had cargo transport capabilities for pickup and delivery. The light weight of the vehicle (2200 lbs) means it can be loaded and hauled in a cargo trailer by a 3/4 ton pickup. Fast turn around is a must.
Bosch in Holland is trying to be the first universal EV maintenance chain where you can bring your car. You also keep your factory warranty.
Do you also have a contact or contact person from Bosch in Germany?
When I do a Google search this website comes up: https://www.bosch24.de/elektromobilitaet/ for Holland Bosch is having a big youtube campaign: https://www.amt.nl/ondernemen/artikel/2020/04/hoe-speel-je-in-op-een-sterk-veranderende-markt-10166186?_ga=2.148432439.1043582448.1608475843-48596508.1594067748
Thank you for your links!
Aiways U5 also do not have their own service network. the service will be taken over by ATU in 2021, https://www.atu.de/pages/meisterwerkstatt/wartung-service/e-mobility.html
At the same time, I made an inquiry at the motor vehicle guild, which trains master craftsmen for specialized companies for hybrid and electric vehicles:
https://www.kfz-innung-hn.de/angebot-und-information/seminare-schulungen/hochvolt-hybrid.html
In the meantime, i have contacted a few companies:
1. Bosch:
The technicians have Lev. 1- 3 training as electricians for high voltage systems in motor vehicles. They would do repairs on the electronics and battery systems. Aptera must assure that the warranty is not voided by the intervention. A contact person at Aptera is required. The purchase of spare parts through Aptera must be guaranteed. Aptera must provide its wiring diagrams.
Bosch is official service point for electric street scooters of the German Post.
2. ATU:
By the way, ATU has 5 branches in the Netherlands.
ATU only services the AIWAYS brand and will also become a sales base for it.
In case of defects an AIWAYS technician comes on site (this seems to me unbelievable).
3. Car Guild:
They have not informed me of any appropriately trained workshops. They referred me to the existing car companies that should take care of an Aptera repair. However, I doubt that, since they want to sell their own electric vehicles.
Bruce, that is a very good idea, comparable to an OBD diagnostic device
Bruce, I also like the idea of monitoring. I manage computer system, network, and security monitoring. I would like to see a phone app with an interface to my Aptera that would notify me of any issues and allow me to interact with the system. Aptera's technicians would be able to connect as well. I would be concerned with security.
Multi function sensor camera built into the wheel cover comparable to smartphone cameras:
- Dashcam, if oncoming vehicles overlook the wheel cover and touch.
- Left and right camera results in a stereo camera for autonomous driving.
- Distance camera for lateral distance when entering duplex garages or parking.
@loswa Except that the camera/cameras are actually mounted at the top of the windshield... The Founders have stated that the SafetyPilot system will be optical and not use radar and most fully-optical systems seem to use two-camera binocular set-ups - but we don't yet know if this is their intent.
Service by Bosch would be great, with thousands of centers worldwide, including America, & at least 2 near my own 40-mi commute. By the time most people need Aptera service, likely all the independent garages will have to start taking EVs, with many parts of the world banning new fossil car sales in 14 years or less.
Obviously there will eventually be some need, but so far I haven't even learned how quickly they're ramping up EV service, since my current 7-year-old BEV has needed none. Zero. Zip. Nada. (besides software updates, which I believe Aptera has "over-the-air")
Just America's Tires. The rest was DIY: 12v battery, cabin filter & a few lightbulbs. Some drivers have also needed to replace wipers. This is all very common for EVs. I read that VW is planning for EVs to cut their service income in HALF.
Here's my EV's maintenance schedule:
Each 20,000 miles: Inspect brakes, front suspension/steering, & cooling systems. Replace cabin filter.
Each 30,000 miles: Inspect brakes, CV joints & cooling systems
Each 10 years: Replace both coolants. THE END.
My drive battery & brakes are on track to last way more miles than I'm likely to drive before I'm dead, although the battery might die of old age before I do, but by that time it shouldn't cost much to replace.
Take a look at TESLA's insurance plan so far launched as a pilot only in California. Their intention is to afford owners insurance that is 30% less expensive than mainstream plans, a quick turn around, no hassle parts availability, access to factory trained service providers, a TESLA rental that would also inspire customer's to upgrade to their latest model, and other amenities.
There may be some line items for Aptera to emulate.
Rather than purchase an entirely new vehicle to upgrade, please consider a design that is upgradeable not only with your planned downloads but also by interchangeable or add-on components.
How should the independent repair be done. A tire change or the replacement of a battery block. The Aptera vehicle structure is closed. Must be disassembled the whole car.
At least in the US, Aptera has promised the availability of a trained service tech within 24 hours and shipment of parts overnight. Most electronic repairs will be a matter of unplugging and plugging connectors, and over the air diagnostics may mean that such issues can usually be determined from the factory. Decades ago, I maintained environmental monitoring equipment in Europe and was occasionally able to surprise customers by showing up to service a piece of equipment before the owners of the installation even noticed that there was a potential issue. Apterae certainly will have this potential.
The Safety Pilot system is based on cameras, and we know that all the cars will have cameras built in. These could certainly be leveraged for security features, but as those of us who have worked in the field know, they can also be vectors for certain kinds of attack. It will never be possible to completely solve this problem, I fear,`unless it is through improving the general human condition.