Aptera Automotive Innovation: Electric Vehicles

cazalea · 2022-04-08T21:02:19Z

Explore the Aptera Solar Electric Vehicle: a deep dive into its unique design, solar charging, and community debate on safety and efficiency. A green choice for collectors.

cazalea

WPS member · Automotive forum

17 replies2764 views16 photos

In a fascinating exploration of sustainable automotive innovation, cazalea introduces the Aptera Solar Electric Vehicle, a local company's ambitious project. His detailed first look at the prototype, complete with personal observations and technical insights, offers WatchProSite readers a unique perspective on a car designed for efficiency and environmental consciousness. This article delves into the Aptera's distinctive features, from its solar charging capabilities to its unconventional three-wheel design, and synthesizes community reactions to its potential impact on daily driving and safety.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Mike

Dynamic testing video

Status of the build

Key Points from the Discussion

The concept of a solar-powered car that requires no external charging is appealing, drawing parallels to the convenience of an automatic watch that always runs. This represents a significant step towards worry-free, sustainable driving.
Despite rising gas prices in California, there hasn't been a noticeable slowdown in driving habits, suggesting that economic factors alone may not be enough to shift consumer behavior towards more efficient vehicles.
Concerns were raised about the safety of lightweight vehicles like the Aptera in an era dominated by increasingly heavy SUVs and trucks, such as the Hummer EV and Rivian, which can weigh 10,000 pounds or more.
The Aptera's design evokes a sense of futuristic and sculpted car aesthetics from a bygone era, appealing to those who appreciate innovative and visually distinct vehicles.
While offering more protection than a motorcycle by preventing accidental falls into traffic, the Aptera's overall safety profile compared to traditional cars remains a point of discussion, especially given the unpredictable nature of road safety decisions.
The Aptera project has experienced numerous delays and restarts since the early 2000s, leading to a cautious stance among some potential buyers who await actual deliveries and independent journalist road tests before committing.

The Discussion

Cpt Scarlet

Apr 8, 2022

I would love to have a go in it. Thanks for taking us along with you Mike. Have a great weekend.

cazalea

Apr 8, 2022

Cheers, Captain. I hope to get a tour of the facilities soon, stay tuned to this channel (as they say). Mike

AuHavrePro

Apr 8, 2022

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

Cpt Scarlet

Apr 8, 2022

The hub motors inside the wheels are an excellent and logical choice for this vehicle.

mdg

Apr 8, 2022

...side cameras in place of mirrors was legal in the U.S....but I have seen a digital display for the rearview mirror.

Tim_M

Apr 9, 2022

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 some actual deliveries and journalist road-tests before pulling the trigger. Best, Tim

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