1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Video of Aptera EV

Discussion in 'Other Cars' started by Bill Merchant, Dec 22, 2007.

  1. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

    Joined:
    May 3, 2005
    4,096
    81
    13
    Location:
    USA | Oregon | Portland area | 97004 |
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Here's a link to a Popular Mechanics video of the Aptera EV. It has some really cool design features and the plan is to have a vehicle that goes 120 miles on a single lithium-phosphate pack charge for 2008, with a 300-mpg model to follow by 2009.

    Now if they can cover the skin in this Nanosolar $1/watt solar cell, you can ride forever...
     
  2. V8Cobrakid

    V8Cobrakid Green Handyman

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2004
    3,790
    152
    0
    Location:
    Park View, Los Angeles, CA. U.S.A
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    nice car. i'll take one :)
     
  3. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2004
    14,816
    2,497
    66
    Location:
    Far-North Chicagoland
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    Yeah wow. That's a head-turner.
    I wouldn't trust the other drivers if I were driving that down the street.
     
  4. TummyMan

    TummyMan Tummy Man

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2007
    39
    0
    0
    Location:
    Sedona, AZ
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Great car, I want one or two.
     
  5. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2006
    6,057
    389
    0
    Location:
    Northern CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Nobody in the EV community really thought this was serious when it was proposed several years back. We saw the drawings and chuckled. But here we are! This is the first indication from anybody outside the company that this things really *can* exist.

    The whole parking/curb thing concerns me with those front skirts. And I'm not sure how they'll make the windows roll-down-able, but heck - I love the concept. And if they really can sell these at a reasonable price, and get into the black in after just 200 units are sold (as they claim)... well, that's just awesome. I really like that they plan on two versions - with and without combustion.
     
  6. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2007
    10,664
    567
    0
    Location:
    Adelaide South Australia
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    If it is affordable and approved for use on Australian roads I'd grab one quick smart. This would be a perfect commuter for me.
    I guess with the wheel skirts it isn't designed for the average clumsy driver that bashes curbs when parking. It is good that it isn't very low to the ground making it easier for us oldies to get in and out.
     
  7. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2005
    15,232
    1,563
    0
    Location:
    off into the sunset
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Apt name for a tear-drop shape, isn't it? :cool:
    I really hope this one works out. It looks fantastic and should earn the EV movement more recognition.
     
  8. daniel

    daniel Cat Lovers Against the Bomb

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2004
    14,487
    1,518
    0
    Location:
    Spokane, WA
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Currently only available to residents of California. A $500 deposit gets you a place on the waiting list. Delivery claimed to be in about one year. But we've seen how a year can stretch to two, then three, etc.

    I don't like the looks of the car. I'd prefer a conventional 4-wheel car. Four wheels are inherently more stable than 3. The futuristic look is silly. But if it's the first proper EV to be available new now, I'll buy one.

    First one out gets my money. Meanwhile I'll keep driving my Zap Xebra.
     
  9. FL_Prius_Driver

    FL_Prius_Driver Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2007
    4,319
    1,527
    0
    Location:
    Tampa Bay
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    I
    Someone help me out here. Don't they have to go through a series of crash tests....successfully?
     
  10. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2005
    19,846
    8,152
    54
    Location:
    Montana & Nashville, TN
    Vehicle:
    2018 Chevy Volt
    Model:
    Premium
    Simple:
    3 wheels = motorcycle and you don't have to do the NEV thing, or crash tests up the wazoo.

    4 wheel = car, and big production costs for higher then NEV speeds.

    Funky looking but hey, no more so than me.
     
  11. FL_Prius_Driver

    FL_Prius_Driver Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2007
    4,319
    1,527
    0
    Location:
    Tampa Bay
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    I
    Thanks for the answer. Now it makes sense (legally, and even financially). So if the single rear wheel were 6 ft wide, that would make it a motorcycle?
     
  12. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2004
    15,140
    611
    0
    Location:
    South Puget Sound, WA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Nissan LEAF
    Model:
    Persona
    great video, love the tech details. but hate it when the writer is uninformed. that was obvious when he said, "The Aptera gets great acceleration, you just step on the gas and it goes..."

    so, how much? i am interested. get them on the market for $30,000 and i think you have a hit
     
  13. daniel

    daniel Cat Lovers Against the Bomb

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2004
    14,487
    1,518
    0
    Location:
    Spokane, WA
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Yes. But it probably would not handle very well.

    Somewhere they give the price. Something like $26,000. I'd pay that today, if there was one for sale.

    Come on, Dave, saying "gas pedal" could be a slip of the tongue as much as being uninformed. Linguistic habit. ;)
     
  14. PriuStorm

    PriuStorm Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2007
    2,239
    149
    0
    Location:
    Davis, CA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    I caught the 'step on the gas' slip in the video as well, and chuckled. :p

    I would get one of these in a heartbeat. I think they said $30k for the gas generator hybrid, increasing the range.

    Somewhere they also mention that they will go profitable after only 200 units. That is pretty phenomenal. If that's the case, one would think the price could come down.
     
  15. butchbs1985

    butchbs1985 Taking things apart is fun!

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2007
    229
    16
    0
    Location:
    ChicagoLand
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    I love it!

    I saw this on "My Yahoo" yesterday but it seems to have disapeared. I love the idea and the design. I am a big fan of new ideas as well as sticking out in a crowd. (Don't tell my wife). I do a lot of driving and this woud be fantastic!

    I actually sent them my resume. I am in Chicagoland now but would love to be a part of that sort of project. Plus, if I am in Cali, I can get first dibs:D
     
  16. theman103

    theman103 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2007
    3
    0
    0
    I have a buddy who just put a reservation in for one of these. 300 MPG is just crazy!!
     
  17. WARHORSE

    WARHORSE New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 6, 2007
    418
    0
    0
    Location:
    SoBe, FL
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    it is very cool looking although the performance is lacking
     
  18. FL_Prius_Driver

    FL_Prius_Driver Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2007
    4,319
    1,527
    0
    Location:
    Tampa Bay
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    I
    Some people on this site think "MPG" instead of "MPH" when the word performance is mentioned.
     
  19. WARHORSE

    WARHORSE New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 6, 2007
    418
    0
    0
    Location:
    SoBe, FL
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Why not have both ? I'm all for having my cake and eating it :D

    Drop the weight and heigth and add a little more power and you can still get mad mph & decent mph in that thing
     
  20. FL_Prius_Driver

    FL_Prius_Driver Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2007
    4,319
    1,527
    0
    Location:
    Tampa Bay
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    I
    I'm not the one making the tradeoffs. Those that make the best tradeoff get the most business. They would need to answer what their limitations were. I certainly hope they have something you would want on their next version.