
Wherever the Aptera three-wheel Electric Vehicle (EV) falls in your state, it would be interesting to hear/learn how it may be categorized in your state and understand advantages and if there are extra requirements over a car or motorcycle (now or developing)
đCar driver license is adequate (in most states)
đRegistration cost may be less ( but in my state registration is based on vehicle costđ)
đUse of High Occupancyâs Vehicle (HOV) lanes with only one passenger Of course some states may have different rules.
đ¤Tolls? Well it is only 1800 lb...I suppose you could be charged by axle...
Insurance?
I found this article that seems to capture important considerations.. I underlined topics I think could factor in for the Aptera. Â I imagine it would be treated more like an automobile and crash test results will be important.
Type of vehicle
A rule of thumb when choosing any type of insurance is the nicer the purchase, the more expensive the insurance. All insurance works this way, from home to boat insurance. Motorcycle insurance, however, tends to place even more of a price tag on high-cost bikes. Insuring a sports car versus a traditional sedan could cost you an additional $50 per month or more, but insuring a speedy sports bike could end up costing you five times more than insuring a smaller bike. It's all about the risk factor. Choosing a sports bike over a smaller, less powerful bike is more dangerous than choosing a sports car over a sedan.
Discounts
Cars are notorious for various applicable discounts, such as airbags, anti-lock brakes, student drivers and multiple vehicle discounts. While some discounts are also applicable for motorcycle, such as anti-lock brakes, motorcycles traditionally do not qualify for the same benefits as cars. Motorcycles can qualify for discounts from most insurance providers by successfully completing the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's training courses. Motorcycle drivers can also qualify for discounts by belonging to a major motorcycle association or group.
No-fault Insurance
No-fault insurance means that the insurance company will cover the losses you incur from an accident regardless of whoâs at fault. Many states have passed a law that makes it mandatory for insurance companies to offer no-fault policies for cars. Motorcycles, however, are almost always excluded from a no-fault policy, because motorcycle crashes often cause serious injuries or are fatal. Drivers who opt for a full-coverage policy bypass the no-fault policy, because most full-coverage policies stipulate that the driver and driverâs family is covered in case of injury or death.
Conclusion
Like auto insurance, motorcycle insurance rates vary from one end of the spectrum to the other. Motorcycles are sometimes cheaper to insure than cars and vice versa. The insurance company will take into account the age of the motorcycle driver, where the driver lives and his financial history in addition to the other factors. A motorcyclist should expect to pay less for his motorcycle insurance than comparable car insurance if the bike is not high-end, his driving record is clean and he has a strong financial history.
If an autocycle...At least in my state it is defined as:Â " Autocycle" means a three-wheeled motorcycle on which the driver and passengers ride in a fully or partially enclosed seating area that is equipped with a roll cage, safety belts for each occupant and antilock brakes and that is designed to be controlled with a steering wheel and pedals.
đBut three wheel vehicle owners could tell their âpresent storyâ from their state and travels through other states
đ I am not sure how many states, in the US, offer other incentives and discounts for âbeing greenâ other than at purchase (Federal) and single driver HOV lane access. đ¤Letâs hope all the good things remain
Many years ago I followed the progress of Elio Motors, who want to develop a similar platform (efficient 3-wheeled enclosed autocycle/motorcycle, though theirs is gas-powered) and I recall they bumped into some issues where motorcycle helmet laws in some states would require the driver of the Elio to wear a helmet, despite being fully enclosed, seatbelts, etc.
I'm curious if Aptera knows the status of state motorcycle helmet laws, and/or if there has been any new legislation that would categorize this vehicle in a way that precludes the need for helmets in states where they are required.
I can say with certainty that Florida's motorcycle laws do not require a helmet after a certain age (very young, perhaps 16 or 18 years).