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Aptera motors pulls the plug
- joshu 15y agoIIRC they were technically motorcycles and required a motorcycle license. Probably didn't help.
- quadform 15y agoTo offset that though, it probably helped in other ways. For example, if it's a "motorcycle", you don't need big bumpers and crumplezones.
- quadform 15y agoI don't think it takes millions and federal loans to make an EV. Scratchbuilt or otherwise. Enthusiasts have been converting small ICE cars ("internal combustion engine" cars) into electrics for many years. Electric cars are simple. For the most part, all they require is: * batteries, * a charge controller, * power controller, * some gauges, and * a motor. Car companies like to make them out to be more technologically advanced so they can charge more and get more government financial assistance. And for that matter preserve their existing ICE-based business. But EV's are fundamentally way simpler than ICE vehicles. Edit: Yes, I realize that Aptera's 3-wheeled vehicle is amazing and is not something that a couple of guys could probably put together in their garage. I'd love to see Aptera or a company like them be able to employ engineers to work on those sorts of futuristic spaceships. However, I'm saying that you don't need to go all-out top-end to create an EV. Make a simple "VW Beetle-style" economy EV for cheap instead. It won't require astronomical funding and early adopters will go nuts for them.
- asharp 15y agoRemember that there's a big difference between an aftermarket mod and setting up a factory to build purpose built electric cars. You have lots of additional regulatory/cap costs/etc. to bear. Also keep in mind that they are making entirely (or mostly) new types of vehicles, ie. the tricycle. And design doesn't come cheap.
- VladRussian 15y ago>I don't think it takes millions and federal loans to make an EV. ... Enthusiasts have been converting small ICE cars ("internal combustion engine" cars) into electrics for many years. Musk for example converted Lotus. I completely share your opinion that it should be easy and cheap. If i had a large enough garage space, i see how i myself could produce the car under 50K using mostly COTS. On the other side, looking at the real examples - like the Tesla case - it is extremely expensive and complicated.
- buff-a 15y agoStill waiting for biodiesels.
- phil 15y agoWhat are you waiting for? You can run almost any modern diesel on biodiesel, and in most west coast cities (at least), B20, B80 and even B100 are available.
- buff-a 15y agoI'd like a ford F-150 sized truck that is diesel. I'd like a Ford Focus that is diesel. I live in California. What are my options?
- rdouble 15y agoYou have to buy it used out of state with at least 7500 miles.
- buff-a 15y agoAre you saying they exist in other states?
- phil 15y agoI'm with you there. I'd love to go buy a small diesel pickup. They're available all over the world. These days they're clean, incredibly fuel efficient, and have great torque. But no US manufacturers make one and due to tariffs foreign models can't really be imported.
- zokier 15y agoMove to somewhere without silly regulations.
- phil 15y agoAre there prototypes to be sold off? I thought these were neat little vehicles. I still want one.
- erreon 15y agoI hope that some of the tech will be sold, opened or some how fall into other peoples hands. They did a lot of neat things with their prototypes and I think there is a chance that it can still help.
- ricksta 15y agoIt's a shame that a photo sharing iPhone app can raise more money than an EV company...
- sktrdie 15y agoWhat a shame. This was, by far, the most efficient and intelligent electric vehicle ever made with its aerodynamic shape.
- JoeAltmaier 15y agoI seriously doubt the aerodynamics mattered at the slow city speeds the thing runs?
- lukifer 15y agoTragic. I was hoping this would be my next car.