#1. Self-charging, i.e., energy independence. 2. Efficiency. 3. Paradigm shift. This is the future, or, as S. Jobs said: "They want it; they just don't know it yet."
#1 for me is self charging (Living in an apt with no charging infrastructure) 2. Efficiency. 3. Repairability / right to repair is a big deal, especially for long term use.
Solar powered interior venting to help equalize to outside ambient temperature
Quiet
Much less need for brake maintenance given the regenerative braking.
Overall lower vehicle maintenance
Gas independence ( I am in a very rural place, only a couple gas stations around and expensive) Electric and sun I have! And I generate my own electric via home PV electric panels
I imagine there will be a good lower center of gravity, given the battery placement and vehicle wide front stance... it should give great stability...
Help the environment
Hey. It looks like it will be easy to clean, although I never had to clean under the belly of a vehicle😉
This innovative vehicle is like patenting an invention....it inspires the next unique idea!
We also have Solar so ours will be solar powered along with it's built in 700 watts cells. We drive 100% Electrics now and I'm president of our Phoenix Electric Auto Association 501C3 non profit. This will be the best and most efficent.
Potential replacement for my Volt if it gets totaled or wears out. I'm not planning a deposit just yet. I'd have look at cargo and passenger needs when/if the time comes.
Not necessarily a replacement for my 2011 Volt, that can do things this can't, but I do see it becoming my daily driver as it can do things my Volt can't . I have put down a deposit, but was a little surprised/dismayed (as I may have to wait a few years to get one). I ordered on the morning of the 6th day available and there are more than 13,000 ahead of me in line.
@David Marlow Thing is when I bought the Volt I needed 4 seats and sometimes could've used 5. Now I rarely need more than 2 so the Aptera could work. For the times I need more cargo passengers, I'll use the SUV. Got to run it once an awhile anyway. Not seriously even shopping until the Volt is gone. Not when it would cost me likely even more money for the same non-stop range. That's for the last 10% of the gas that the Volt uses.
@David Marlow The order number is not he same as your likely spot to get order processed, and vehicle built. Not only are there only about 10K orders, but many of the ones "ahead" of you may not be built till after yours (like overseas orders or down the road configurations (like 100KWh battery).
@Len The paperwork with the pre-reservation deposit states that, after delivery, there is a 7-day/1000 mile return policy. I'm guessing it would be wise to stay within 500 miles of the factory for that first week of ownership... 😁
@Len I've heard - so don't quote me - that if you buy a vehicle in CA you must pay to register/license it in CA (and pay CA sales taxes) - and then pay to do the same thing when you get it back to your home state. I live in MS but bought my PHEV in a neighboring state which had reciprocity - the dealer was able to process the purchase as if I'd bought it in MS. So it might be significantly less expensive to buy your Aptera online and have it trucked to you, Tesla-style (as they do in those states that don't have a Tesla "brick & mortar" presence).
I love everything about this puppy since I first saw it over 10 years ago. The looks are number 1 and the never charge technology is number 2 on my list.
Interesting, I did not have that problem when I bought my Volt in NY, the Dealer was able to install a temporary plate. If California has this requirement will Aptera setup a outlet in Nevada where the shipping costs would be minimal?
@David Marlow I was watching a video made by someone in Washington state who was trying to buy a Kia eNiro and, when she couldn't get an in-state dealer to get one for her she tried Oregon and California. She described the events I related. As I said I, too, had no difficulty living in Mississippi and buying a car in Louisiana...
I live in a city with outdoor parking only. Having an at-home charger is just not a thing here. Having a nice, speedy, easy to park car that has solar charging is appealing.
I’ve always liked the original, Fambro-era 2e and desperately wanted one back in ‘09 as the Tesla Roadster was unobtanium for me. Now that onboard solar has the potential to charge the drive battery (along with better performance than my Bolt), it will finally allow me to achieve my goal of driving a solar car.
Besides that, it looks like a private jet and is insanely efficient, both electrically and embodied.
The true appeal to me is that the entire design is optimized as a system. The light weight allows for smaller motors; Smaller motors allow for smaller batteries; which circles back to allow the chassis and suspension to be made lighter; etc.
@Tom Kruer I'm not so certain about the "smaller motor" idea: EV motors are all rather small and lightweight when compared to an ICE of comparable horsepower. With FWD the Aptera uses two 50 kW motors for a total of 100 kW and AWD adds a third 50 kW motor for 150 kW total. Each motor weighs just under 51 lbs. and requires its own controller/inverter.
To compare, the Nissan Leaf motor is 110 kW, weighs 128 lbs. and requires one controller/inverter. The Chevy Bolt motor is 120 kW, weighs 168 lbs. And also requires only one controller/inverter. The Leaf offers battery packs of either 40 or 62 kWh, the Bolt 66 kWh and the Aptera 25/40/60/100 kWh.
So drivetrain weight is pretty much equal across the board: What Aptera does differently is that it wraps this heavy machinery in an ultra-light, ultra-aerodynamic body, allowing the drivetrain to expend less force to move it along, thus requiring less power to achieve the same result. That's the "secret sauce" of Aptera's optimized system.
@Kerbe #12705 I do not disagree. In fact, I believe we are saying pretty much the same thing. If the Aptera was significantly heavier, there would be the need for more power to get the vehicle rolling (notice that I did not say car), and larger batteries to provide that power. As Colen Chapman would say, Aptera has been "designing in lightness" from the very beginning.
Of course, the weight of motors and batteries are both coming down with the advent of Induction Permanent Magnet Synchronous (IPM-SynRM) and solid state battery technologies. I suspect that Aptera is on the leading edge for their use.
Okay, so "The light weight allows for better performance with similar motors".
I too like the system optimization:
- Less overall size gives less drag which allows smaller battery size which allows even less overall size...
- Less drag allows less battery weight, which allows less structural weight, which allows less wheel & suspension weight, which allows even less battery weight...
All that makes it much less important to have cutting-edge battery & electronics tech, or high-current charging.
#1. Self-charging, i.e., energy independence. 2. Efficiency. 3. Paradigm shift. This is the future, or, as S. Jobs said: "They want it; they just don't know it yet."
#1 for me is self charging (Living in an apt with no charging infrastructure) 2. Efficiency. 3. Repairability / right to repair is a big deal, especially for long term use.
Adding to your list ( with clarifier)
Looks ( but don’t care to turn heads. I just want to enjoy it!)
Efficiency
Commuting ( Retired, so errands and some cross country trips to visit family, volunteer runs, maybe explore new ones, vacations )
Self-recharging
In-wheel motors ( yes AWD a must. torque vectoring seems important)
It's a unique design
3 wheels instead of 4
Dent proof
Solar powered interior venting to help equalize to outside ambient temperature
Quiet
Much less need for brake maintenance given the regenerative braking.
Overall lower vehicle maintenance
Gas independence ( I am in a very rural place, only a couple gas stations around and expensive) Electric and sun I have! And I generate my own electric via home PV electric panels
I imagine there will be a good lower center of gravity, given the battery placement and vehicle wide front stance... it should give great stability...
Help the environment
Hey. It looks like it will be easy to clean, although I never had to clean under the belly of a vehicle😉
This innovative vehicle is like patenting an invention....it inspires the next unique idea!
Very Efficient and SAFE.
We also have Solar so ours will be solar powered along with it's built in 700 watts cells. We drive 100% Electrics now and I'm president of our Phoenix Electric Auto Association 501C3 non profit. This will be the best and most efficent.
Efficiency
Performance.
Uniqueness. The amount of attention this will get, and the tech. Educate muscle car, and sport bike owners all day.
Efficiency, sure.
Lessening my carbon footprint, unique styling, looks fun to drive
Efficiency
Uniqueness
Range
Potential replacement for my Volt if it gets totaled or wears out. I'm not planning a deposit just yet. I'd have look at cargo and passenger needs when/if the time comes.
Not necessarily a replacement for my 2011 Volt, that can do things this can't, but I do see it becoming my daily driver as it can do things my Volt can't . I have put down a deposit, but was a little surprised/dismayed (as I may have to wait a few years to get one). I ordered on the morning of the 6th day available and there are more than 13,000 ahead of me in line.
@David Marlow Thing is when I bought the Volt I needed 4 seats and sometimes could've used 5. Now I rarely need more than 2 so the Aptera could work. For the times I need more cargo passengers, I'll use the SUV. Got to run it once an awhile anyway. Not seriously even shopping until the Volt is gone. Not when it would cost me likely even more money for the same non-stop range. That's for the last 10% of the gas that the Volt uses.
@David Marlow The order number is not he same as your likely spot to get order processed, and vehicle built. Not only are there only about 10K orders, but many of the ones "ahead" of you may not be built till after yours (like overseas orders or down the road configurations (like 100KWh battery).
Nice! May your Bolt serve you well!
Only $100 deposit,which is refundable and changeable until commit time.Right? I think there is limited time/ mileage return allowance!
I don’t expect mine until 2022.
I’ve been waiting since 2009.. What is another couple of years as they “get it right”!😉
@Len The paperwork with the pre-reservation deposit states that, after delivery, there is a 7-day/1000 mile return policy. I'm guessing it would be wise to stay within 500 miles of the factory for that first week of ownership... 😁
Exactly!
Or take a vacation in beautiful CA pick up you Aptera and test drive
😉
They talk once about about a possible break if picked up but I gave onlty read tge price is “delivered”
@Len I've heard - so don't quote me - that if you buy a vehicle in CA you must pay to register/license it in CA (and pay CA sales taxes) - and then pay to do the same thing when you get it back to your home state. I live in MS but bought my PHEV in a neighboring state which had reciprocity - the dealer was able to process the purchase as if I'd bought it in MS. So it might be significantly less expensive to buy your Aptera online and have it trucked to you, Tesla-style (as they do in those states that don't have a Tesla "brick & mortar" presence).
Yes ..:Important ! and all to he assessed “if and when it is offered and price difference”
I love everything about this puppy since I first saw it over 10 years ago. The looks are number 1 and the never charge technology is number 2 on my list.
Interesting, I did not have that problem when I bought my Volt in NY, the Dealer was able to install a temporary plate. If California has this requirement will Aptera setup a outlet in Nevada where the shipping costs would be minimal?
@David Marlow I was watching a video made by someone in Washington state who was trying to buy a Kia eNiro and, when she couldn't get an in-state dealer to get one for her she tried Oregon and California. She described the events I related. As I said I, too, had no difficulty living in Mississippi and buying a car in Louisiana...
being able to drive an EV without having a dedicated charging point at home (park on the street)
I live in a city with outdoor parking only. Having an at-home charger is just not a thing here. Having a nice, speedy, easy to park car that has solar charging is appealing.
It's an EV ! Have a Spark EV. Never going back to ICE
I’ve always liked the original, Fambro-era 2e and desperately wanted one back in ‘09 as the Tesla Roadster was unobtanium for me. Now that onboard solar has the potential to charge the drive battery (along with better performance than my Bolt), it will finally allow me to achieve my goal of driving a solar car.
Besides that, it looks like a private jet and is insanely efficient, both electrically and embodied.
Efficiency, independence from infrastructure, right-to-repair.
The true appeal to me is that the entire design is optimized as a system. The light weight allows for smaller motors; Smaller motors allow for smaller batteries; which circles back to allow the chassis and suspension to be made lighter; etc.
@Tom Kruer I'm not so certain about the "smaller motor" idea: EV motors are all rather small and lightweight when compared to an ICE of comparable horsepower. With FWD the Aptera uses two 50 kW motors for a total of 100 kW and AWD adds a third 50 kW motor for 150 kW total. Each motor weighs just under 51 lbs. and requires its own controller/inverter.
To compare, the Nissan Leaf motor is 110 kW, weighs 128 lbs. and requires one controller/inverter. The Chevy Bolt motor is 120 kW, weighs 168 lbs. And also requires only one controller/inverter. The Leaf offers battery packs of either 40 or 62 kWh, the Bolt 66 kWh and the Aptera 25/40/60/100 kWh.
So drivetrain weight is pretty much equal across the board: What Aptera does differently is that it wraps this heavy machinery in an ultra-light, ultra-aerodynamic body, allowing the drivetrain to expend less force to move it along, thus requiring less power to achieve the same result. That's the "secret sauce" of Aptera's optimized system.
@Kerbe #12705 I do not disagree. In fact, I believe we are saying pretty much the same thing. If the Aptera was significantly heavier, there would be the need for more power to get the vehicle rolling (notice that I did not say car), and larger batteries to provide that power. As Colen Chapman would say, Aptera has been "designing in lightness" from the very beginning.
Of course, the weight of motors and batteries are both coming down with the advent of Induction Permanent Magnet Synchronous (IPM-SynRM) and solid state battery technologies. I suspect that Aptera is on the leading edge for their use.
Okay, so "The light weight allows for better performance with similar motors".
I too like the system optimization:
- Less overall size gives less drag which allows smaller battery size which allows even less overall size...
- Less drag allows less battery weight, which allows less structural weight, which allows less wheel & suspension weight, which allows even less battery weight...
All that makes it much less important to have cutting-edge battery & electronics tech, or high-current charging.