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Anyone else excited about the Aptera Launch edition?

Discussion in 'EV (Electric Vehicle) Discussion' started by Isaac Zachary, Jan 23, 2023.

  1. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    ...and they'd suddenly have to bolt on all the things that cars need but motorcycles don't. Regulatory thing.
     
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  2. Isaac Zachary

    Isaac Zachary Senior Member

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    Exactly. But the deal still not a solid yes. This is the lowest house I can find here. It's low income housing, incentivized. If I want something cheaper I'd have to move far enough away I'd need a different job. I'm not sure if jobs in a cheaper part of the country could pay me the same as here. But if I got the house then yes, buying any new car would have to be put on the back-burner for a long time. Basically I'd like to have an Aptera, but probably won't get one for years to come, if ever. When the Avalon is too far gone to keep going I'll probably have to get whatever's the cheapest thing that moves.
    Wrong. 4 wheels would not make a huge range hit. Doubling the weight would not make a huge range hit. The biggest loss of energy in an EV is pushing around air, at least on a highway. A 4 wheel car could be made even more aerodynamic than a 3 wheeler because the rear wheels drag the front wheels. This is why Tesla has made their SUV's look like blimped sedans, because making a boxy Jeep design would kill range.

    It's all in the shape.
     
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    So it’s all about avoiding auto regs?
     
  4. Isaac Zachary

    Isaac Zachary Senior Member

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    Yes. At least mostly. Or at least the testing.
     
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  5. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Yes, but because they don't want to make the vehicle safe. The design, testing, and paperwork needed will increase the price. They couldn't get the base priced around that of a Bolt with a mere fraction of GM's resources if they made it a 4 wheel car.
     
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  6. Isaac Zachary

    Isaac Zachary Senior Member

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    Do you mean "Yes, but not because..."?
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Well sure, anyone would want to make their vehicles safer if it was free
     
  8. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Aptera knew the criticism about safety would be brought up, so they do design for it. Even back with the first company failed they were doing so. The testing and certification to meet 4 wheel car certifications would just add a lot of expense. Perhaps more importantly, it would add more time to development. That could be worse for a start up.

    Tesla started with a conversion, because working with Lotus meant less cost in cash and time.
     
  9. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    No.


    But in the case of physics, handling, etc, you do.

    3 wheelers (two in the front is WAY better than than 2 in the rear) have most of the disadvantages of 4 wheelers and few, if any, of the advantages of two wheelers/single tracks. This is why one doesn't see them dominating on the race tracks or morning commutes. They are a huge compromise. Basically the only place one sees a 3 wheeler is in ultra-low cost and low speed uses in the transportation world (peddy-cabs).
     
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    It will come down to how many would be interested in such an unusual vehicle, and if that will be enough to sustain them.
     
  11. Isaac Zachary

    Isaac Zachary Senior Member

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    There is one person excited to get an Aptera: Sandy Munro.
     
  12. Rmay635703

    Rmay635703 Senior Member

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    Range hit and $15m of regulatory and crash
     
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  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    vs limited market? not sure it's a better option
     
  14. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Four wheels won't expand the market much for a two seater. Add a back seat for greater range loss, and then it will directly competing with the likes of the Bolt. Which won't go well for a start up. It would be like Tesla trying to start with the Model 3. Aptera hopes to do other models, but this has to be successful first.
     
  15. Isaac Zachary

    Isaac Zachary Senior Member

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    Never mind. I need to read other peoples posts better before judging.
     
    #35 Isaac Zachary, Feb 1, 2023
    Last edited: Feb 2, 2023
  16. farmecologist

    farmecologist Senior Member

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    We already have successful niche front three wheelers. Think the Can-Am, and most notably the Slingshot...

    I don't think Aptera will have any problem attracting even more of a niche audience.
     
  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    did those companies have to make the same investment as aptera?
     
  18. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    In short, no.
    They were already successful motorcycle, off road, snow mobile, etc. companies, and the products mentioned are ICE. They already had the power plants and much of the other components already available. Plus, the facilities and human power for development and production already in place.

    Edit: If looking for a start up EV company for comparison, Zero Motorcycles is one.
     
    #38 Trollbait, Feb 3, 2023
    Last edited: Feb 3, 2023
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  19. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    It has 25% more cargo volume than a Model 3, is 0-60 in 6 seconds base or 4 seconds in AWD version, and has four versions with 250, 400, 600 and 1000 mile rated ranges. And it has a dash display system, unlike the Model 3 or Model Y.

    Oh...and it's rated at 100Wh/mile. And the entire car has the same air drag as an F-150 rear view mirror.
     
  20. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    "We are designing to meet or exceed all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards and use industry-standard testing protocols to ensure reliability and durability." -- Aptera FAQ