I am aware it comes with complications as warranty and liability, still I want to throw in the idea:
As you stated in your videos of having an "open" approach to home repairs, etc. -- What about:
"Aptera in parts" for "home" assembly? Vision? Possibility? At least to some degree of pre assembled assays? May be accelerating the availability?
Love to hear your comments on this one!
That's a pretty good idea, even for import.
The basis is a type approval for the respective country. Not everyone is a mechatronics engineer and is familiar with high-voltage technology. Local garages could carry out the assembly and technical acceptance under license from Aptera. Comparable to a Caterham Kit Car.
I have found, for example, the company RIPOWER in Germany, which also converts combustion vehicles into electric cars.
I am more thinking about pre-assembled units and limit all electrical work to pluggable connections. Nothing exposed. Same for potential coolant connections.
Sure no idea what potential requires dedicated tools, ideally prefab.
But would be so cool if a technically skilled person could do it with a simple instruction guide. Then I'd be considerable confidant been able to late fix it also ;)
Roughly:
Cabin with battery/dash/seats etc. Interior gizmos/hood/doors,
Chassis/suspension parts to cabin assembly,
Wheel motors to suspension,
Control electronics, interior climate control system
Power/motor/brake control hookups
Only need a simple way to jack up the main cabin with battery???
LOVE your "kit-car" idea!!! Main battery may be able to install in manageable chunks, especially if it's air-cooled (A/C blowing into the case?) like a longevity-prone eGolf:
Line 23 of Aptera FAQ Spreadsheet: "We are testing 2170s now and we may use liquid cooling but are testing to see if we can just convection cool to save weight."
Certainly not making battery modules at home, that's not a home job nor safe to do without proper setup and final testing nor efficient. Not sure if there are possibly ready to use EV compatible modules with all bells and wistels on the market supply chain today?? May be soon. Should be no more than securing into the body (maybe even already integrated if structural elements) and hook up/enabled.
@Percy Zahl I was thinking more along the lines of Aptera-assembled modules small enough to relatively easily lift in one at a time, maybe by 2 people. Specs indicate about 200Lb per module as-is.
& how about TWO kits:
- One as a legal work-around, needing barely enough simple assembly to qualify as a kit at the delivery address, for assembly by the owner or any local shop.
- One as unassembled as possible for a reasonably competent, meticulous "back-yard" mechanic or any of their friends.
Control by lever?Auch nett :) add pedals to Aptera for those rainy days ;)
I wonder if they could go with a micro assembly plan and have many distributed assembly plants, rather then all built in a single factory?
Lovely....
@Gordon Niessen Yes. This vid (click here) at 19 minutes in has the co-founders talking about small assembly plants. Sounds like he says "Many, mini-factories". For sure they say "parts align themselves without any external tooling or jigs.". It really seems like it's ideal for a driveway-assembled kit. Can you imagine your neighbors' reaction to that?!
Citroen is partially implementing this kit idea on its new Ami EV. The accessories of the Citroen Ami are delivered home in such a box.