cazalea
[Seiko Moderator]
20750
Aptera & lunch by the bay
Whew it's hot! Nearly 100°F at the water's edge
Just after noon I spent some time looking at the Aptera, a soon-to-be-manufactured Solar Electric Vehicle from a local company.
It can be covered with solar cells allowing the sun to charge it instead of your local power company, so if you drive less than about 40 miles, you drive free! *
* - I'm sure there should be a footnote on that depending on latitude, longitude, etc. "Your charging mileage may vary."
Check it out. Long enough to sleep in the back.
It has a composite honeycomb body shell with small channels throughout the shell, through which the battery coolant flows. That way the shell acts as the radiator! Low drag, very efficient.
One wheel in the back to reduce drag further through less rolling resistance and also better aero shape.
The interior is simple and in this prototype the seats are a bit racier than the production ones may be. Rear view outside mirrors and cameras. Hence the small screens on either side in this car which will be combined into one screen in front of the driver for production.
The interior is simple and in this prototype the seats are a bit racier than the production ones may be. Rear view outside mirrors and cameras. Hence the small screens on either side in this car which will be combined into one screen in front of the driver for production.
Nose and dashboard come standard with solar cells. If the hatch is covered with optional solar cells, you can't see through it, and must rely on the outside cameras or mirrors.
It can gain about 40 miles per day range in San Diego's latitude about 32-33° N. Depending on the battery you choose, you can have up to an estimated 1000 miles of total range.
It definitely resembles the shape and strategy of the Honda Insight hybrid that I drove for more than 100,000 miles. Light weight, aerodynamic, two seater, hatchback.
I didn't mean to be hiding my watch in the photo. -- if you didn't see it already in the WristScan, it's this one:
It definitely resembles the shape and strategy of the Honda Insight hybrid that I drove for more than 100,000 miles. Light weight, aerodynamic, two seater, hatchback.
But it adds charging via solar panels, subtracts one wheel (for a multitude of reasons), is much wider, and is an ideal car for the green-conscious watch collector (IF such a thing exists).
Aptera is driven by hub motors inside the wheels, rather than internal combustion or an electric motor via driveshafts, like most EVs.
My wife waited patiently while I fooled around with the Aptera. Then we decided to break from the heat by heading for some seafood at our favorite place. I had sushi.
Aptera is driven by hub motors inside the wheels, rather than internal combustion or an electric motor via driveshafts, like most EVs.
My wife waited patiently while I fooled around with the Aptera. Then we decided to break from the heat by heading for some seafood at our favorite place. I had sushi.
I didn't mean to be hiding my watch in the photo. -- if you didn't see it already in the WristScan, it's this one:
Little fried fishes (Brits call them whitebait) and are eaten much like french fries. With clam chowder for Mrs. C
PS -- Moderator's disclosure: they gave me a free t-shirt and a brochure when I was checking out the car. But not a joyride, or a car. Rats!
PS -- Moderator's disclosure: they gave me a free t-shirt and a brochure when I was checking out the car. But not a joyride, or a car. Rats!
Mike
Aptera & lunch by the bay
Whew it's hot! Nearly 100°F at the water's edge Just after noon I spent some time looking at the Aptera, a soon-to-be-manufactured Solar Electric Vehicle from a local company. It can be covered with solar cells allowing the sun to charge it instead of you...
The Aptera looks interesting …
I would love to have a go in it. Thanks for taking us along with you Mike. Have a great weekend.
I would love to take a ride myself
Cheers, Captain. I hope to get a tour of the facilities soon, stay tuned to this channel (as they say). Mike
Thanks Mike …
The hub motors inside the wheels are an excellent and logical choice for this vehicle.
Now, that's an alternative power....
vehicle I'd be totally up for test driving! Of course, my living environment is the same as yours, thus my enthusiasm for it . Thanks for the great pictorial tour Mike, Filip
Interesting...I didn't think...
...side cameras in place of mirrors was legal in the U.S....but I have seen a digital display for the rearview mirror.
I'd consider buying one
I'm a single guy without too much stuff. And I remain a huge fan or the original Insight, which was a performance-optimized "supercar" in some ways. Aptera has had endless fits and starts since I was in college back in the early 2000s, so I'd like to see ...
The future of cars hasn’t be a nightmare
The idea to lose combustion engined cars is no problem at all when the green cars become hot too. For me the idea to no charge and fill a tank is worry free driving. Comfortable. It even needs no water to drive, so it is a win win. Like an automatic watch...
Looks cool!
It looks really nice. But I'm concerned about your safety. In today's world where there are 10,000 pound GVWR SUVs on the road (The Hummer Electric Vehicle and the Rivian SUV are all near this or above this), I don't even feel safe in my 4000 pound Merced...
After years on the road with an 18-pound bicycle, I guess my risk calculus is outside the mainstream.
Realistically, this car is more protective than a motorcycle, but only in the sense that you can't fall into a lane of traffic by accident. It's hard to tell whether that will actually affect the market for these. We have a pretty big motorcycle market th...
True!
But a lot of motorcyclists do it for the thrill, that open-air thrill. So this might not appeal to them that much from the thrill perspective. But then again, I'm not an expert witness about the motorcycle market. So I can't say too much in that departmen...
Safety is a state of mind and your own driving influences your safety
I've noticed that the rise of gas prices from $3 to $6 in California doesn't seem to have slowed anyone down... in fact during the pandemic crazy driving has escalated. But let's say if I was a crazy driver I wouldn't still be around after driving unsafe ...
Still! A madman or madwoman can clumsily crash into you. Things happen!
I agree, you can be a very defensive driver and reduce your chances. But still. There can be that unusual case where someone talking on the phone rear ends you. And yes! Despite the doubling of gas prices, nobody is slowing down! Agreed! Electricty prices...
Interesting design
I reminds me of a time when car design was futuristic and sculpted. I like it! For me, 40 miles would be perfect. Probably 95% of my drives are below that limit. I am worried if we would have enough daylight in Denmark to charge it properly. That fish loo...
