Towing an Aptera

While we wait for all the 2020 prototype validation work to be completed....to ultimate move to a production unit... Whatever your Aptera might be for you (Trophy vehicle, commuter vehicle, weekend vehicle, etc... ) What will you plan  for your (Aptera) ride? Let me kick it off with this: For  parking (at home) ... although I have always garaged my vehicles....since the Aptera should be exposed to the sun for the benefit of a “free solar charge” (Never Charge feature)... Planned...A placemat for the Aptera with NEVER CHARGE feature” I am improving a shade free space for “Park & Charge.... Basically a solar charging spot for the Aptera...something like this round pad, incorporating some other “green concepts” with it. With a porous pad, and a water outlet nearby...this could be a great spot for vehicle washing too ! NO puddle/ n With tons of free local rocks and boulders here and plentiful desert plants, the cost is right (free) and the low desert succulents/cactus care (I.e., none),  this is a very affordable and hopefully rewarding project. The location is also near 120v outdoor outlet, if battery top off is ever needed, when not in the garage overnight. In the rural SW grassy desert regions it is always best to garage a vehicle as pack rats or snakes could explore the shelter of any parked vehicle. 🐀 like to chew the plastic on electrical wire😞 I understand folks who don’t have a garage use a outdoor light or strobe light under their vehicle or under their hood to deter rodents as they like dark space s. When I lived back east this was also an issue in the fall and winter after using gas powered equipment(mower, snow thrower, etc) and placing them in the shed....as the field mice liked to shelter near the warmth of the hot engine, there too...chewing wires. “Oh living with wildlife!” 😞 So for me the Aptera could be that trophy vehicle in retirement. 🤔My big projects are done around the house... I could retire the mid size truck. Depending on the final offerings of the Aptera and outcome of 2020 testing, decide if the 60 or 100kWH range fits into our final lifestyle with perhaps cross country trips or just exploring this beautiful country. It may even allow a spacious open hatch area to include the dog on some trips/drives.

I would never spend ~$40k for a car like this EXCEPT if I could make a profit on it by using it as a robotaxi like Musk talks about. Will that be an option?

For an ICE vehicle weight reduction makes perfect sense, however for an EV it makes very little difference. This sounds counter intuitive and is probably why not a single EV manufacturer gets it. Not only because it is harder to reduce weight percentage wise from an EV due to the heavy battery. At continuous speed the energy equals the total of all resistance, like: air resistance, roll resistance, drive line resistance, motor losses, electrical losses etc. Weight has no part in this equation, just indirect as it has some influence on the roll resistance. When accelerating weight does play a big part, however an EV can recover the energy used for accelerating when decelerating. For accelerating/decelerating weight influence is dependent how efficient the regenerative system works. A theoretical 100% efficient regenerative breaking system will recover all energy used for accelerating. It makes far more sense to focus on other aspects like: aerodynamics, low resistance bearings (air or magnetic), Vacuum motor, extreme high voltage batteries, good thermal insulation of cabin (to save HVAC energy), large solar panels area (a longer vehicle will also improve aerodynamics) and an efficient regenerative breaking system. And for anyone who does not believe me, explain this: Difference between a small and a large ICE vehicle is > 300% in fuel efficiency. Difference between a small and a large EV is < 30% in energy efficiency. (the 30% can mainly be explained by difference in: frontal area and tire width)