I’m curious how this will be registered in the US and how that will effect vehicle insurance.
Discussion
In the UK Relient Robins and the Original Morgan three wheelers had a reputation for tipping over when cornering, often with fatal results. Many, many, years ago the original Top Gear team rolled a Robin several times, which was fun to watch. Think about the Moose avoidence test, and avoiding accidents at speed on freeways. 3 wheeled cars are less stable than 4 wheeled cars. Augmenting stabilty with electronics can go wrong - see 737 Max. Perhaps castors on rear corners, as on some RVs with long rear overhangs. An important segment of initial purchasers will include rich old men trying to re-live their youth and show off their greeness. Get some overweight geriatrics to test the getting in and out. The rest of the world is going to higher SUVs, which are easier to get into. Opening windows are required at toll booths, ATMs, entrances to gated comunities, talking to police after traffic stops, etc Federally mandated heights for bumpers/fenders? Low car may not be seen in some traffic situations. Think flags on recumbent cycles. Front and rear streamlined fenders should be (part) removable for driving in slush/snow/mud. Can slush / snow jam up inside fenders and stop the wheel rotating? The solar panels wil get dirty when parked. Consider a purpose made cleaning tool. Think brolly in door of RR. Overall the concept is logical, attractive, and excellent. An excellent start.
🤔 I would imagine you may able to “gauge” insurance rate with your insurance company and your state, by applying the cost to insured a high end Can-Am or Polaris Slingshot, but then apply the cost to replace a much higher end Aptera, less deductions for key things like, it is an enclosed vehicle, with car safety devices as found in a cars, where they discount. . And it promises amazing crash tests! Surely much better than any open production title out there...
I believe I read in several places.... the Aptera should qualify to register as a motorcycle in most US states, except for maybe two
I have my 3 wheeled cars registered as cars in Ontario Canada. The insurance was much cheaper than as motorcycles. A precedent had been set for these antique cars as they preceded modern safety requirements. If the Aptera meets modern safety standards here it could be a car.
The last time I spoke to the team about this very question, they were working very hard to get this vehicle classified as a car. They wanted all consumers to be able to operate it with a regular license. They seemed confident that their main shell design was robust enough to supply suitable crash protection to pass the safety requirements.
Granted, this was several years ago, plans change, teams change, targets move.