Unveiled: Aptera Typ-1 100% Electric and Series Hybrid Vehicles

Holy Crap do I want one.

I put a $500 refundable deposit down on my all-electric model #228! Woo! Aptera's website said the price would be ~$26,000. And now, with a middle-class job, I can afford it. I have mixed feelngs though.

Being a early adopter means I can demonstrate interest and generate market for such a product. At the same time, I could keep driving my 33mpg 2005 Corolla, and save my $26,000 for... something else?

Then there's that guilt I have about being able to buy mitigations to my impact... oh mixed feelings!

is the "always-on climate control system" really necessary? it seems like a waste of energy to me.

I put a $500 refundable deposit down on my all-electric model #228! Woo! Aptera's website said the price would be ~$26,000. And now, with a middle-class job, I can afford it. I have mixed feelngs though.

Being a early adopter means I can demonstrate interest and generate market for such a product. Then there's that guilt I have about being able to buy mitigations to my impact... oh mixed feelings! Perhaps I should get active in lobby our regional transit planners towards more transit funding while driving minimally (AND sharing my new EV?!?!) to do things that may not be so easy on a bicycle.

Yes, but can you keep the darn thing on the road? I drive an Aveo and had a close call this morning when I had to do defensive driving to avoid a collision but almost lost complete control of the car.

So how does it hold up in a crash?

It appears to be front wheel drive and rear wheel steer. Should make for "interesting" vehicle dynamics.

With that said, it's about friggin time someone broke that status quo. We live in the 21st century yet most of our cars share a design that originated in the 19th century.

Bravo, Aptera, for producing a vehicle that is intelligently designed and fully utilizes our engineering capabilities. We've had wind tunnels for near a century and have been racing F1 cars with superior crash geometry for decades, yet we've never fully embraced those technologies. The Aptera is the first in what is hopefully a whole line of such vehicles.

That is incredible...I've been waiting for this unveiling for a while now. It'll be a little while before they are offered in Canada and I'm sure the specs will be a little less for our winters but I seriously want one!

This is great news.

Jack -
Guilt is such an unproductive emotion. Get going and ENJOY!
I hope it works out well. Your input will help determine the future of these things. We need technological advancements like these so badly.

Good Luck!!

vsk

Well, I like my Prius way better, for the same price.
Convenience is more important than MPG.

I seat 4 adults, usable hatchback, roof car rack with Thule. I can even tow a small trailer if I ever wanted to, without looking like a land-based dolphin.

The upgrade price for EV-20 or EV-30 has been dropping, and by the time the Volt rears it's head, I expect the price to be half that.

The Mitsubishi Motor-In-Wheel is my personal favorite EV design.

Can't wait for those to start appearing in the south! All we have are pickups and SUV's.
From what I've gathered, it's a rear-wheel drive system.

Mark Derail said Convenience is more important than MPG

I think MPG is a form of convenience. Of course most people think of convenience as how many people/stuff they can lug around in a typical car.

I prefer riding in style.

I like this Aptera, but I would prefer something lower to the ground, like a Campagna T-Rex (I think they made a hybrid prototype too).

But since the TRex requires a motorcycle permit...

The Honda CR-Z is the hybrid that is currently holding my attention.

It's a great looking car... looks like it could fly if you added wings!

This has a lot of trunkspace. Enough for two golf bags, supposedly, which is more than a lot of cars.

And Treehugger is a bit late on this one. The announcement was around September.

Mark Derail - maybe it's not for you. But that doesn't mean that people won't buy it, and that doesn't mean that it shouldn't be produced.

On safety - it is supposedly very safe, even though the three wheeled design only makes it necessary for the vehicle to pass motorcycle safety standards. You can look at the website for more detail, but it supposedly has the structure of an Indy car and is made out of extremely strong materials.

@GreenPlease

Please read the site more carefully. It is actually, front steer rear drive.

$26k is no small change but extremely cheap when we consider that 90% of our driving is solo. Taking that into account, no reason to buy a vehicle for "what if" when reality most likely dictates "what now". We can adapt easy if we need the ocasional people-space or cargo-need but for work and weekends, this is great! I'd shove my 26K down if 1) had it to spare 2) didn't have a baby on the way 3) proved itself in harsher climates like extreme cold, snow, and ice. Until then the Prius will have to do... Bravo nonetheless! One concern I may hear is crash and breaking that front axle off - appears flimsy.

It sounds like an extremely revolutionary car. That is exactly what we need now, to help get true efficiency.

It sounds like a lot of fun, too...That is always a good thing.

I think it is great that people are finally getting some real choices in ways to drive and do less damage to the planet and that companies are finally starting to address that demand.

If the solar cells in the roof power the climate system, there is little energy waste for it to be running constantly, and in fact it will save energy by not having to do it more rapidly on demand later. Most vehicles spend the majority of their product life cycle sitting still, even the average persons commuter car only runs for a few hours a day at most.

Solar cells are constant output when exposed to light so it really makes sense to fully use that output at all times to help recover the fundamental impact of making them in the first place. If they have already fully charged the batteries it makes sense for their output to be applied to other functions that will reduce energy demand later.

Good effort
If we want 300 mpg cars then they will probably have to look like this!
Still doesn't beat the efficiency of my bike though :)

Of COURSE it looks like it can fly - planes are the ultimate in aerodynamic design! Buckminster Fuller saw the aviation industry as the technology leader - its good to see that other people do too.

I read hastily but didn't see any mention of airbags. Being out on the road with gas hogging tanks like Hummers means MPG isn't the only criteria.

You know it's not that I don't appreciate technological developemnts.

This thing looks AWESOME!

However I am always a bit dismayed by tree-huggers emphasis on developments in the individual motor vehicle.

It seems doubtful that the individual vehicle model will ever be truly sustainable in comparison to mass transit.

TH needs more fetaures on developemtns in electric trolley buses, and light rail.

I'm watching this very closely, and I hope they succeed. A couple thoughts:

I suspect the "climate control system" is an exhaust fan- not a power hungry air conditioner.

Apparently there is a spot for a baby seat behind the front 2 seats. Very good idea.

This post is a bit off of my normal topics, but I think it’s something important that people should be discussing. I’ll really try not to get too political, so here goes. We’ve all seen gas prices climb up to (and in many areas above) $3 USD per gallon of gasoline. We’ve also seen war, chaos, pain and turmoil going on the Middle East and elsewhere. While there is obviously some connection between the current price of gas and war, terror and fear, that’s not exactly ... (Pingback) http://dataland.wordpress.com/2007/11/22/the-future-of-cars/

Aptera has released an update on it's upcoming 300 Mpg car. This car really approaches transportation from a very different vantage than does the rest of the auto industry. This car is slated to sell for $30,000 USD, and offers room for two. Here is a brief overview on the update ...

Talkback: http://dataland.wordpress.com/2007/12/17/apteras-sub-30k-300-mpg-car-will-be-here-in-2009/

re: Liam
"is the "always-on climate control system" really necessary? it seems like a waste of energy to me."

I read that it's not just for comfort and is somewhat performance related as well, but it didn't really elaborate. I'm assuming the reasoning behind it is to keep the batteries from getting too hot or too cold while just sitting there.

"I read that it's not just for comfort and is somewhat performance related as well, but it didn't really elaborate. I'm assuming the reasoning behind it is to keep the batteries from getting too hot or too cold while just sitting there."

It's performance related because you're filling in the vacuum left in the back of the vehicle as it's moving with the heat being ejected out the back of the car. It lowers the drag of the car at high speeds.

They said on their website that the entire car has the same drag coefficient as a single wiper blade on a tipical car.

Do the solar panels on the top also charge the batteries??? I live in Las Vegas and this would make driving to and from work almost free after the initial price of the vehicle. Does the vehicle come with a spare tire or do we call Triple A??? How do we get legislation passed for the states that have helmet laws for motorcycles??? I'm going to purchase the Hybrid as soon as I am able and drive it down Las Vegas Blvd so the locald that drive their H2s and Bentleys can see that there is an alternative vehicle out there that gets better than 10 mpg.

I'll buy one as soon as I can. I need a truck once in a while, so I have a beater that will seat 6 if I need to take out a crowd. That's about 5% of my driving. The rest should be as cheap as possible. This vehicle's efficiency literally will pay it's entire cost in five or six years of commuting, which currently runs about $75/week for me. If they sell this thing in NY it will be in my garage. I also love the technology, the look, the safety, and the performance.

I just paid for the reservation #1181 of this great car / motorcycle? (the Diesel / electric hybrid)
I think, the Aptera is more for a couple or a single person. I like the way it is built and looks on the videos that I've seen so far. Hope to get a test drive soon and am SO LOOKING forward to becoming a PROUD owner of this Machine..............

02.04.08
I live in the Detroit suburbs and work in Detroit with the auto industry frequently. This is just the kind of forward thinking and corporate flexibility that GMFORDCHRYSLER can't seem to pull off. GM is banking on the new Chev. VOLT car. Hope it works. Ford and (especially Chrysler) could never be flexible enough to build something like this - and that will be the eventual reason for their collective demise. I can't wait for Aptera to start selling these outside of California - there will be two in my garage immediately. I can't wait to park it in front of GM headquarters with a big sign that says " NOT MADE BY GM FORD OR CHRYSLER"
By the way, for all of you who are concerned about the "safety" of this car, the airbags are incorporated into the seatbelts - an excellent design. When deployed, the bags inflate and hold you firmly from impacting anything, then deflate. This is a much better design than having your face slam into an exploding bag of nylon with pieces of plastic dashboard flying out at you.
One final general note, as someone who has driven everything from helicopters, earthmovers, large trucks, forklifts, motorcycles, cars, vans, busses, bicycles and lawnmowers, I can tell you that safety has little to do with the vehicle and EVERYTHING to do with the operator. Stop making stupid choices, pay attention all the time, quit messing around with the cell phone and I pod and you will never need airbags or seatbelts for that matter.
Great article - tell your friends. The more press this thing gets, the faster it will snowball and the sooner we'll all be driving these things.

I am grateful that we have people who are forward thinking. It's time we find solutions to our energy problems. I support us getting away from our dependance on oil and I applaud Mr. Fambro for finally giving us an option.

I signed up. I am thrilled to be number 954 on the road to freedom.

I have seen how the Aptera is built as I was quoting production tooling for Aptera Motors Corporation.

I have also seen quite a bit of composite structures used in Space Craft (I worked on the solar panels for MESSENGER that has been sending back images of Mercury) and SLIC (Super Light Weight Interchangeable Carrier) to be used to carried equipment on the Space Shuttle. The structure is launching this August 08 and I have a paid for invite to see it launch. I have done aircraft structures and yes even that light weight at 22lbs/ft^2 composite armor for the Crusader program a few years back.

I can say that the Aptera is well engineered, analyzed and at least the prototype is very well built. Sitting in it, the Aptera feels solid, sound dampening from using foam core between stressed skin will provide a lot of noise attenuation.

My reservation number is 1267 and regardless whether or not we get the contract for the tooling, I hope that this thing will take off.

I had three different Porche 914s. This thing is very roomy, it feels wider than a Miyata. Frontal visibility is great with real glass on the wind shield and windows, it has very little distortion.

I have learned a lot from a friend who used to work at ECAR in Santa Rosa about a decade ago...AC drive is more complicated but is a much better set up for efficiency. The low drag and mostly electric powered means a very quiet ride and the sandwich construction will with stand impact very well.

I have help built and subsequently repaired the Space Shuttle arm boom. To protect the arm boom, a honeycomb cored Kevlar skin bumper system is applied all around the arm to reduce the chance of damage on impact with anything solid.

The cool factor is just too darn hard to resist.

Sometimes existing designs are so outdated you just have to scrap it and start over.

I have a machine I have set up to commute with...it is a mere toy but if you don't think out side the box...changes may not happen fast enough.

Do more...with less.

I just did it..... I reserved mine, I'm #1288. I'm not one to get swept up and emotionally involved in new vehicles but this is the first hybrid I've seen that makes sense to me. Other hybrids offer "ok" performance but barely better then regular gasoline economy cars, for much more money. IE, I own a 36 MPG corolla now which I paid for with a personal check and it cost $14k. Or..... I can spend double that for a prius that gets ~15+ mpg more. Uh, yeah, not really making sense there. But double the cost for TEN TIMES the mileage? Um yeah, I'm so there.

I chose the hybrid model because I live in a condo and wouldn't have any way to plug it in right now until I can get a new place with a garage. I also do lots of very long distance driving from San Diego to San Francisco or Vegas. This will be great for that. I'm definitely going to look into some decals to customize it, if Aptera isn't offering anything cool I'll probably work with a local designer.

I'm amazed it can fit a 7' surfboard, though that means I'm going to have to either sell my death log or get a beater to go surfing with lol. What makes this so great is the reserve deposit is fully refundable. I can back out at any time if I don't like the insurance prospects, or see if the first few off the production line have major issues. I can't wait to get my aptera.

Signed,
Owner of #1288

It's just a shame that I don't live in California....
Here a the Reunion Island (FR) this could be a quite buzz if I drive my Aptera here.... -:)

Vladan

the climate control is a heat-pump which heats and air-conditions and operates on very low amounts of energy. Cool, eh! Or Cool, huh, for those south of the 49th.

If Aptera offers me a loan at 5%-6% interest, I would certainly buy one. It's so GREEN and CUTE!

I love it! This one of the answers to the multifacetted problem of oil dependancy and polution. This vehicle will definitely take a bite out of OPEC's profits! Let them drown in their oil!

This LA Times article is from June 2006:

http://www.laweekly.com/news/features/whos-resurrecting-the-electric-car/13975/

...but that only shows how long the momentum has been building. Americans are more than ready for electric cars, and if the easiest way to get one that doesn't have a speed restriction and can carry more than 4 people is to convert an existing car, that's what we'll do.

I love the Aptera, and even though we are a family of 5, I seldom drive with more than one passenger -- so I could drive it every day. When the kids are grown I'll need the extra passenger space even less often, so...

Meanwhile I've got a perfect candidate for conversion, a 'project car' that seats 5 and is old enough to technically be called a classic. To solve the problem of limited range -- which would only be an issue for us a few times a year -- I could use a 'pusher'.

A 'pusher' is a trailer-mounted generator, which effectively transforms an electric vehicle into a series hybrid. Someone could definitely make a living fitting generators to light trailers. I'll take mine with some cargo space, please, to make up for the room in my trunk eaten up by batteries.

For my conversion I'll be smoothing over the fuel filler door instead of using it as a charging port -- because if you're ever going to use a 'pusher', you'll want your charging port on the rear, not the side (and certainly not on the front).

Any chance of someone high on the waiting list changing his or her mind? I want my Aptera YESTERDAY!

The Aptera is a belt driven rear wheel drive vehicle. Just three questions. If the belt breaks will it damage the car? Is it easy to replace? and Does it use automotive tires. I hope it doesn't motorcyle tires? Because they only last for 8 to 10 thousand miles before you have to replace them. That is the only thing I hate about my Harley.

Would the folks at Aptera provide as an option, a bio-diesel still where I can make a few gallons a month at home from yard clippings to meet my transportation needs? Here in Georgia, we have plenty of sunlight, so make it solar all the way.

Mike
Peachtree City, GA

Frankie,

It uses car tires already in production on other cars. I'd read elsewhere they did rolling resistance tests with a cart and a steep hill.
How far it went up on the other side determined the winner.
The car uses a belt, just like most Harleys do. And it won't require removing the swingarm to replace the belt, which Harleys require.
Belt technology is quite advanced due to industrial needs. It will probably have a recommended lifetime of 50-100K.

I want to be the first in Kansas City to own one! I would like to see it have a diesel option though. With gasoline going to plus $4 a gallon or more this summer, I think Aptera will not be able to keep up with demand.

Oh my goodness! I live in FL and will be eagerly awaiting sales here!!! I will buy the hybrid in a heart beat, and know many friends and acquaintences who will too! The only other option I am watching is the compressed air engine car supposedly coming by end 2009 or 2010 to US. Either way, my next vehicle won't depend on gasoline alone. Hopefully not at all.