They're baaaack. GCR: 1,000 mile electric car unveiled; Aptera returns 10 years later

[GRA]

https://www.greencarreports.com/news/11 ... ears-later


Trying to crowd fund $2.5m. Or you could just send me the money, which will probably achieve as much.

[GRA]

IEVS:

Aptera reveals resurrection details, tech specs; no plans to die again

https://insideevs.com/news/368130/apter ... die-again/


They had plans to die the first time? One more, also IEVS:

Exclusive interview with Chris Anthony: Aptera's CEO

https://insideevs.com/news/368138/exclu ... ptera-ceo/

[Tortoisehead77]

Why not make an affordable 300 mile range car with a smaller battery pack instead? There’s literally no reason to have 1000 miles of range.

[GRA]

The article notes they'll be offering versions from 40-100kWh, the last being the 1,000 mile range one. As for why 1,000 miles, Toyota is running TV ads promoting 500-800 mile ranges of their hybrids. While no one needs that much for a road trip, it does eliminate any need to pay rural monopoly prices during one, and cuts down the frequency of trips to the gas station in local use; the weight/cost addition's minimal for a bigger tank (not true for a BEV).

With charging infrastructure still so sparse outside of metro areas, that kind of range (before you subtract for degradation, reserve, HVAC, winds, elevation etc.) would provide much the same worry-free convenience and flexibility that long range and the gasoline infrastructure does for ICEs. For a BEV to provide the same 300-400 mile + reserve real-world range as a typical non-hybrid ICE, it needs 500 - 600 miles of EPA range. This assumes that anyone would use such a car for such a trip, but there's little reason to so heavily emphasize efficiency for a city car, as it will be essentially invisible from an SUV in city traffic.

[Leaf15]

Initially, they would offer only low end $34K model with 40kWh battery good for 400 miles of EPA range. The efficiency of this car is 100 wh/mile or 10 miles/kWh. 40kWh and 60kWh(600 miles range) models would offer 0-60 in 4 seconds, top model ($59K) with 100kWh battery would offer 1000 miles range and 0-60 in 3 seconds. It will have option for Fast Charging (10 miles/minute). It is as wide as Tesla Model S and as long as Toyota Prius with 20% more cargo space then Prius. They may offer 3 seat option (one rear seat). It is not family oriented car, but good for couples for local commute and for long distance travel. Bulk of R$D was completed 10 years ago, so this time their goal is to start making it, after a few finishing touches, pre-production prototypes and certifications. Crowdsourcing is a key to unlock private funding for production.

[SageBrush]

Fool me once, shame on you;
Fool me twice, shame on me.

[SalisburySam]

I am very happy to see another entrant into the very wacky world of EVs of all ilks. I do think there are many issues to be resolved though. I’m especially concerned about 10-year-old R&D. A lot has happened in battery chemistry in just the last 2-3 years, and everyone has learned about battery temperature management from the weaknesses of the 2011-2012 LEAF’s unmet cooling needs to Tesla’s preheating its battery enroute prior to arriving at a SuperCharger to maximize charging rate. Also, more is known about what non-early-adopter customers expect and demand of an EV for it to be more than a 2nd or 3rd vehicle in the family. Maybe if enough EV startups actually have product in the market that is accepted and even desired, the ICE companies will get on board in some meaningful way. More importantly, maybe the commercial fleets will adopt EVs for over-the-road trucking, busses, rental cars, and other huge users and polluters getting them off of fossil fuels.

That said, I’m not planning on joining the Kickstarter-like campaign for Aptera. But I am considering the Model Y in a year or two. Pretty sure Nissan will not get my EV business other than for servicing my 2012 SL until it croaks.

[jlv]

but good for couples for local commute and for long distance travel.

Offhand it does not very comfortable for long distance travel, and I'd hate to be in an accident in it at 70+MPH.

[Leaf15]

Aptera just announced availability of solar cells covering the top surfaces as standard option on all cars. It would provide up to 40+ miles/day. For me, it means - I would never ever charge again for commute purposes, as I would have an excess of energy every day to cover any adverse weather conditions . This is what sustainable transportation should be like!

https://wefunder.com/updates/126635-the ... ic-vehicle

[Rebel44]

Aptera just announced availability of solar cells covering the top surfaces as standard option on all cars. It would provide up to 40+ miles/day. For me, it means - I would never ever charge again for commute purposes, as I would have an excess of energy every day to cover any adverse weather conditions . This is what sustainable transportation should be like!

https://wefunder.com/updates/126635-the ... ic-vehicle

They might as well claim that it cures cancer - the company owners just want to scam some more $ before the company folds.