Well while things are gelling with efforts to relaunch Aptera.....
If someone asked... without adding significant weight gain and costs....
What have your enjoyed most on recent vehicles ?
What features haven’t you used much.
I would say...Outside the typical standard accessories and those offered as “Optional” on the old Aptera specification list, these are some things that I enjoy/use on present vehicles:
❤️
Push button or touch drive choices
Auto lights
Auto wipers
Minimum two remote buttons for garage/gate operation
Voice command to avoid or minimize touch screen controls
Pandora or APP to allow stream playing music on audio/navigation system
Remote start
Eco drive
Information system on fueling/ “power up” stations in route/calculator
Power inverter (400-500 w would be great)
Interior release for fuel/power body hatch ( for security )
Hidden area/compartment from valet.
Tow alarm
Tow hook or option
Lane departure alert
It would be nice if the seats recline
Accessories/conveniences :
🤖
Cargo strap and/or mat/spill containment liner
Cargo cover ( many cars are broken into because they see something inside)
Pocket size spring-loaded glass breaker with seat belt cutter
On Star type of satellite communication/alert option for remote location where cellular is not available
Any discreet built in alert signal for 911 needs.
Personal tracking system
A visual/audible security 👁, as people will be investigating / touching the Aptera!
(recently there has been a rash of keyed/scratched Tesla, but the security recorded the culprits)
Cover for vehicle
Inductive wireless charging for smartphone
Mirroring of some smartphone controls on vehicle screen
I have never had an electronic license plate (aka digital display plate) but could imagine that might have merits(?)
Overnight sleeping. Velcro attached, cargo bug mesh....if the cargo area lends itself for that possibility
What I have and never or rarely use:
😏
Heated steering wheel or seats
Air cooled seats
Leather interior are not dog friendly.
Sorry... I have never owned an EV or a three-wheeled vehicle, so it would be interested to hear from forum EV and three wheel vehicle owners/enthusiast
I don't know about cooled seats - but in New England, heated seats and steering wheel are required equipment in any EV. They have virtually no waste heat, like any ICE vehicle, so heating the seats and steering wheel is by far the best way to warm the occupants. They use a few hundred watts, while a heat pump / resistance heater can use 2-5K watts. I would add to a wish list, a direct heating windshield defroster. VW is doing this, and again, it does the job at a tiny fraction of the energy; of even a heat pump. I really hope that Aptera can have video mirrors - if we can even think about autonomous features, then video mirrors for the driver to use, seems like a simple ask.
Hey Neil,
On a different note. I have been reading some chatter on a Tesla blog about phantom battery power loss in warmer states and EV parked outside.... with your EV family of cars....have you ever seen the same in the New England environment?
Aptera design with Solar Reflective glass and solar power venting should be a good thing. Perhaps even the location of the batteries and distance off the black asphalt could be a positive too. I am not sure how the resin core body may also insulate/help. (I am primarily a driver in the SW, a few hundred miles from Aptera.)
@Len That was something that some early Tesla's had, but it is no longer an issue.
@NeilBlanchard Thank you Neil
1. Blind spot monitoring as a standard feature. Not sure how visible will be the blind spots with this style.
2. Cross traffic alert when backing up. As a standard feature.
3. Parking sensors, especially to protect the wheel wells
4. Wireless android auto and apple carplay.
5. Decent sound system.
6. Heated seats. Power seats would be nice, but not if it adds too much to weight.
7. Autonomous braking as standard safety feature.
8. Colors other than the white from the very beginning.
9. Power tailgate would look really cool on this.
10. Heads-up display if there is no front instrument cluster.
11. Reduced cabin noise. Although I would think, with one less wheel than an average car and front wheels not encapsulated in the main body, the road noise should not be an issue. Auto pilot should be an option only. I have no need for it as I love driving my own car.
Regarding Blind Spots..... I don’t remember this detail from my ride ( not driver seat) back in the 2009 prototype but I am assured blind spots will not be an issues. And yes.... the video cameras ( not on the old prototype) will assist in these matters.
But imagine this.... if any vehicle had a blind spot issue: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/14-year-old-awarded-25k-for-her-invention-that-corrects-blind-spots-in-your-car/
Brilliant!
🤔 imagine on all opaque areas between windows= 360 degree view
Aptera has announced they will offer different color wraps for the cars.
That may appeal to some!
I never had a wrap and I wonder it the care is much different than the resin body.
Are wraps easy to repair?
Do you wax a wrap material or just wash and spray clean with a suggested product? That was the care for the 3M film I had on a past vehicle. I never waxed the film. My film was clear and protected the vehicle nose paint when I did lots of highway driving. Same product used on race cars.
If this recently released picture is close to reality....
... there is not much to wrap. Looks like nearly 50% Solar reflective glass/ solar cells
I'd like to see the colors too! If they've announced them already, anyway. If not, just glad to hear that there will be some!
Do you have link where we can see the colors?
Nowhere on the list can i find an option for A/C for southern climates. Comment?
As Neil said it , it’s a “given”
I remember AC being listed for the 2009 Aptera but can’t remember that detail in my test ride back then.
I believe I read it, in several places in answers on the Wefunder site’ answers and in videos..... the past Aptera and now new planned Aptera‘s solar powered cooling makes it easier to air condition the vehicle and the unique composite body offers insulation too.
Bill, I have to assume that A/C is a given. I think it will have a heat pump, for efficient heating, and this will also cool efficiently.
Heated steering wheel.
Just what I need in Fl.
Doggie toggles
Are there toggle attachment points in the back area to attach a harness for my dog, or to secure packages?
Speaking as a Chevy Volt owner, I really appreciate: Programmable garage remote
Remote start feature (to warm up or cool down the car remotely)
1-pedal driving feature (let up accelerator to engage regen) Heated seats (uses much less power than the AC system)
And I really wish it had:
Heated steering wheel
Continuous warning noise (to alert pedestrians) Backup camera
Pedestrian warning sound is mandated by law for EVs and PHEVs traveling up to 18 mph (30 kph) since 2020. Reverse-view cameras have been mandated since 2018. As Aptera intends to make their autocycle as "car-like" as possible I'm sure these two items won't be overlooked!
ISO 15118 - the "Plug & Charge" standard that allows an EV to manage access to public charging locations without the need for phone aps, RFID cards or dongles! Just like a Tesla at a Supercharger, you drive up, plug in your Aptera and charging starts - payment is handled automatically.
Here's something that might be a good idea, say, for when picking up a larger package or hawling stuff. A pop up insert similar to the one on the camping option that will fit in and enclose the back when the trunk tail is up to give it more volume to transport items. It could either be out of fabric like the canvas material those rag-top jeeps or it could be a fibre glass or composite material if one needs something more rigid. Waddayathink?
It could work. Of course, if the weather is good enough you could just "let it all hang out" assuming it's tied down. The reason it's illegal in many jurisdictions to travel with a hatchback/tailgate open is to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, which wouldn't apply with an EV.
If you could remover the lid completely, this would make it a mini cyber truck for a fraction of a Tesla.
@mhoman7078 I like the way you think.
Noise Cancelling Features in the Car to miminise Traffic noise!!
Ultimate Wish: Flexible LCD body to change the colour of the Aptera!! :)
Removable passenger seat for more temp storage. I would like to upgrade the base model if range becomes an issue. Same goes for rear wheel motor if that would be needed. I would like to be able to swap out batteries for remote charge or to store in another location for quick swap in. A third party could manage swap at gas stations for quick change.
I like your removable seat idea. The back seat of my car has been in the basement for months, for the same reason.
to be able to get the vehicle in my driveway :-), i would think about which accessories later
Sheesh, posting in the right place on this forum is daunting! But here goes...
Wishlist: an "advanced" display mode that shows all energy transfer ... such as watts both into and out of the battery for *each* component (plugin charger, solar roof(s), Regen braking, a/c, heat, various components, radio?, etc.) Some of us want to know everything so current monitor _all_ connections ...
Great ideas!
I did recently purchase an app for my phone called TesLAX, but there is also Scan My Tesla, and they show those sorts of details w/o the car manufacturer having to add them to the main display. They also collect the data so you can get graphs over time and grand totals. Just plugs into the OBDII port. Since the Aptera is all about user repairability I have to imagine this sort of data will be easier to access.
Yes, _IF_ the sensors exist :) And realtime, while driving is my preference.
The part of the cargo area where it is least high - around the edges of the hatch - could be enclosed as bins to hold the charging cable, the tire repair kit, etc., so that they aren't left to slide-around while the vehicle is in motion. If not hard-sided bins, then custom-fitted storage bags that would velcro in place...
The behind the seats back pack might hold those items as well.
@n.bruce.nelson In general, higher is better for cable storage. Ending up with your cables under a bunch of cargo can cause... inconveniences.
@993cc Around the rear edges of the hatch - as I proposed - the storage area appears to be only 6-8 inches tall so not able to hold "layers" of cargo.
My charge cord usually just stays plugged into my garage, since it's nearly useless anywhere else.
@kiteboarder Many of my Tesla-driving friends keep theirs in the garage, too, because it's an L2 cable so all they need is a NEMA 14-50 outlet instead of a wall-mounted EVSE. But, when traveling longer distances (beyond the range of a single charge), it's wise to have a cable with you because you never know what might or might not be available, charging-wise.
The Founders have also said that they will be "providing adapter" - without confirming that they intend to use the Tesla charging port. If they do, there will be a loose J1772 adapter and, probably, adapters for CCS and ChaDeMo - so having somewhere to keep them handy AND to keep them from rolling around would be a good thing.
I would prefer to leave the EVSE at home, 3 years driving my Tesla 70K miles and I have yet to break out the spare EVSE I keep in the trunk.. I don't see why they don't just provide a plug on the outside of the car for plugging an extension cord into 120V. One like on an RV only not a big plug for high amps, just a normal 3-prong that would plug into a home outlet. The Aptera's built-in charger they are targeting for production is only 3kW at 240V, so 1500 watts at 120V.
In an emergency you could always just borrow or BUY an extension cord to attach to this plug. If you cannot reach a public charger use it to plug into the outlet behind the coke machine long enough to get some charge.
@Randy Spencer But then you'd have to answer to... THE COKA COLA COMPANY!
(I think that's a line from Doctor Strangelove.)
It's not theft if you don't get caught, and it would be practical to have for when you show up at a friends and they invite you to plug in. Just BORROW an extension cable and attach it to this plug on the car. It's NOT a new standard, it's NEMA 5-15, your basic wall connector, same plug you have on your weed wacker or your snow blower.
An EVSE is there to figure out how much power it can take from the wall, having a dedicated 120V input could be set to always accept that amount power, so no duplicate circuitry that would be in an EVSE. Heck if they included this connector I would be fine if they DON'T include an Aptera EVSE with the car. Save both of us money.
@Randy Spencer NEMA 5-15 would be a new standard of connector to add to the vehicle when all current EVs in the US have either a Tesla port, a j1772 port, a CCS port, a ChaDeMo port or some combination thereof.
And, yes, it's theft even if you DON'T get caught: Plugging in without permission soils the reputation of every EV driver in the eyes of the public. Just think about how many people would unplug someone's equipment to use the outlet and then neglect to plug that equipment back in: Look at how many fail to re-loop the cable after public charging.