Does the Volt Have Another Competitor? Enter Aptera.
You may have heard about a new plug-in electric vehicle called the Aptera. The company has begun taking orders for a $500 deposit on its website (Aptera.com).
The vehicle is a 3-wheeler that seats 2 in front and 1 in back. It is capable of highway speeds and can do 0 to 60 in 10 seconds. There are two varieties, an all-electric with a 120 mile range and a series hybrid (the only other than the Volt) using a diesel range extender than can get 300 mpg.
Apparently the vehicle will be using lithium-ion batteries and the company has a working prototype.
To my eye, this is a similar proposition to the Tesla roadster in that it will be a low-production number vehicle, with 500 planned for the first year. Different than the Tesla Roadster will be its price, less than $30,000. Most differently than the Tesla, will clearly be its styling.
If you can accept the appearance, and it can pass crash testing, then this could be your first plug-in car. The company plans to deliver them in 12 months and to begin production this month.
I contacted Steve Fambro, CEO and founder of Aptera Motors, and asked him who the battery maker would be. His reply:
“We’re not announcing the manufacturer yet…hint: They are an American company.”
Hey, at least its a hint. Some remaining questions include size of the pack, and the electric 3 phase A/C motor. Probably much smaller than the Volt’s considering the car has an ultra low weight and coefficient of drag (0.11)
Certainly this car is unique and may not be for everyone, but if they can get it out there under $30,000 in 2008, that will be a remarkable achievement.
Any takers?
Popularity: 1%
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17 Responses to “Does the Volt Have Another Competitor? Enter Aptera.”
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October 3rd, 2007 at 10:06 am
The more the merrier. I don’t think the Aptera will be a big commercial success, but it will be good to see a functional proof of concept that people can look at and get their hands on.
Personally, I’m more jazzed by the Venture Vehicles concept ( http://www.flytheroad.com/ ) and the Zero ( http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/ ), but to each their own!
October 3rd, 2007 at 10:08 am
Why did they make it with three wheels? Doesn’t that pretty much ensure failure (or at least ensure that they will never get above 500 or so per year)?
October 3rd, 2007 at 10:30 am
Brian,
They won’t have to comply with stringent safety standards that four-wheeled vehicles do. That’s one way to keep costs way down…
The specs look good but I’d only feel safe driving one of those around urban settings. I mean stop and go traffic only. Still, the Jetson’s look is interesting.
October 3rd, 2007 at 10:35 am
*Sigh*…
The history of the automobile is littered with innovative, avant-garde designs that were flops. What did they all have in common? Three wheels. There are too many of these dodo-designs to list here.
What is it with home-grown engineers that whenever they design a car in their basement/garage, it must have three wheels?
October 3rd, 2007 at 10:58 am
Jeff, check out Dave B’s comment. 3 wheels will save you millions of dollars and up to two years in crash testing. Best of luck to Aptera.
October 3rd, 2007 at 11:04 am
I think it looks kind of cool. It’s different. But my wife tells me that I don’t have any taste. She is probably right.
Having said that, I wouldn’t drive this on any roads that I currently drive on. I think rural America would be best. Not urban or highway and definitely not rush hour.
October 3rd, 2007 at 11:04 am
Thanks, but I’ll wait for the Volt.
October 3rd, 2007 at 11:09 am
I got T-Boned by a BMW ab out 3 months ago and it was bad enough (shoulder all jacked up). In that thing I would have had serious injuries even though it was like a 10mph crash.
October 3rd, 2007 at 11:24 am
Is it just me or is that thing fudging ugly? Yeah, if given a choice to drive around in that I think I would rather walk.
October 3rd, 2007 at 2:58 pm
In Virginia, a motorcycle license would be required to drive it, and all occupants would be required to wear DOT approved helmets. Legally speaking, it’s a “motorcycle” - which means that the government basically washes its hads of the safety aspects beyond ensuring that the brakes and lights work one day a year.
Still, looks like a wonderful “motorcycle” — and since I have a motorcycle license, a DOT-approved helmet, and a few thousand miles on a motorcycle, I’d probably be quite happy to drive it.
Comparison to a motorcycle: Besides the obvious motorcycle-safety issues (I have a lot to say about this, but it’s offtopic), the other drawback of a motorcycle is the lack of all-weather capability. (I know that there are some hardcore bikers out there who love to ride in rain and snow; you folks really are hardcore!) This machine appears to solve the all-weather problem, and it looks like it would protect me a little better than my Kawasaki Vulcan in a motorcycle-style collision.
Nice “bike”!
October 3rd, 2007 at 3:59 pm
I don’t understand the comment “… and a series hybrid (the only other than the Volt) …”??
Nissan and Volvo have also both announced series hybrids. And fwiw, there are some ICE to series hybrid conversions on the road in the USA. (some creative, using a trailer to tow the generator).
October 3rd, 2007 at 5:54 pm
I DO NOT dig this vehicle. It just looks fugly. I doubt they’d even sell 500 a year.
I DO dig the Venture vehicles idea. If that was about 15k and got a good electric range… it would be perfect for me to commute in.
October 4th, 2007 at 12:14 am
Matt986,
They’ve pre-sold over 170 in a week! Quit blogging and get back to work for VentureV, you shill
October 4th, 2007 at 8:44 am
Aside from the obvious regulatory advantages. . . Three wheels means you are getting of: a wheel, a tire (and associated rolling resistance), a brake, and a differential. The reduction of mass makes the vehicle more efficient and better-handling. It also makes it easier to taper down the rear of the car, which improves the aerodynamics considerably.
The only real disadvantage is the “three wheeled weirdmobile” stigma.
October 4th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
Don’t forget that as a “motorcycle” it can be driven solo in carpool lanes during rush hour traffic!
If I got one of those, it would have to be with a custom “Spacely Sprockets delivery vehicle” paint job on the sides…
October 4th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
This thing looks like the front wheels are as far apart as a Hummer. I tried to find specs, but could not. What good is an electric grocery getter if you cannot park it at the grocery store? The Miles Javalon is projected at $30K also, and would have to be crash tested. And it would be parkable. Me, I’m sticking with my eGo cycles and soon and EVT Z20 while I wait for Volt.
October 7th, 2007 at 11:09 am
R.K., good question but there is no way to answer that until they put out specs. width, turning radius, etc. BTW, do you honestly think they would make something you could not park? (c’mon).
have we seen the javalon? or is it still in vapor stage?
why is everybody pushing something else instead of discussing aptera?
W