This article pretty much covers the topic of how the Aptera will be designated in various states and what may or may not determine its insurability. https://www.ncsl.org/research/transportation/transportation-review-autocycles.aspx
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Excellent article. Thank you! Personally, I'm concerned by the Arkansas driving statute:
"Arkansas appears to be the only state that restrictions the operation of an autocycle on a highway. Arkansas’s statute states that an autocycle shall not be operated on an interstate highway if: the operation of autocycles or motorcycles is prohibited, the road is a controlled-access highway, the posted speed limit is more than 55 mph or the autocycle cannot maintain a speed equal to the posted speed limit."
Living in Memphis and driving north frequently to St. Louis and Chicago requires a route utilizing Interstate 55 in Arkansas. I have sent an email to the Arkansas state police inquiring if the Aptera would be pulled over given it's size and driving capability on the interstate or if this statute was meant more for less road capable autocycles of smaller size.
Plus, aren't interstate highways covered by Federal statutes?
To follow up, I contacted the Arkansas state police and asked specifically if the Arkansas statute, 27-20-30 Operation Limitations, was still in force. Major Jason W. Aaron #250, Eastern Region Commander of the Arkansas State Police, says that statute 27-20-30 does state, “An autocycle that is operated by electricity shall not be operated on an interstate highway”. I asked him further if he thought that I would get pulled over if I was traveling on the interstate and keeping up with the flow of traffic. His response was, "My guess is yes because of the rarity of the vehicle and it would stand out to a Trooper watching traffic."
Thanks for sharing
I will keep in mind on cross country trips
Do you have EV clubs there that might want to try to change this? As EV organizations promote green change regardless of number of wheels
I see that ICE vehicles in AR pay about $15/year in fuel tax while EVs are assessed $200/year (and hybrids $100/year) to compensate for not paying fuel tax. The state also offers no incentives for EV purchase or charging infrastructure implementation.
Neither Plug In America nor the Electric Auto Association identify any EV organizations or clubs in AR. Tesla doesn't have a store, a gallery or a service center in the state.
Sounds like a state full of morons
@Randy Spencer Or just a state where Legislators are bought and paid for by car dealership owners...
I appreciate the sentiment, although out of respect for the residents, it's probably mostly the lawmakers who are morons. Or should I say even bigger morons than they are everywhere else.
Rick R makes me realize one possible Aptera drawback: It could be a cop magnet! They might pull you over just to check it out. Like driving a batmobile!
Hmmm
Well keep that speed down and hope most will just ❤️ it ...and want one for themselves!
It could be the new police motorcycle for some applications where they are used!
(I will ask my retired police officer friend who is open on this matter)
As an original native of New Jersey who moved to Arkansas and lived there for a number of years before moving to Memphis, I can tell you the people of Arkansas are extremely nice but most are reluctant to change. My guess after traveling the interstates in Arkansas for years and logging more than a quarter million miles on them is that if you're keeping up with traffic, not speeding, and not weaving in and out of traffic, the state troopers won't pull you over. Since gas powered autocycles are legal on the roads in Arkansas, I don't know how a state trooper would know if your Aptera is gas powered or electric, especially if you're keeping up with the flow of traffic (70-78mph on the interstates). Most troopers I've met or known (been pulled over by) are nice and would most likely give you a warning the first time.