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Solar car fans can still pin their hopes on Aptera [1] and on Lightyear which is rising again from bankruptcy [2], though both their futures still look rather s

by tromp 4y ago

Solar car fans can still pin their hopes on Aptera [1] and on Lightyear which is rising again from bankruptcy [2], though both their futures still look rather shaky... Personally, I think ditching the solar and just focussing on low weight and affordability like luvly [3] does, makes more sense, but obviously those are limited to shorter ranges. [1] https://electrek.co/2023/02/10/aptera-has-raised-3m-of-its-20-50m-crowdfund-goal-offers-new-swag-to-investors/ https://electrek.co/2023/02/10/aptera-has-raised-3m-of-its-2... [2] https://cleantechnica.com/2023/02/22/lightyear-is-launching-back-out-of-bankruptcy/ https://cleantechnica.com/2023/02/22/lightyear-is-launching-... [3] https://www.wallpaper.com/transportation/luvly-o-ev-from-new-swedish-mobility-brand-hoping-to-reinvent-city-car https://www.wallpaper.com/transportation/luvly-o-ev-from-new...

ianai 4y ago
I really hope aptera succeeds. I personally would buy one, but I live and work where I’m surrounded at all times by most of the largest mass production vehicles. I’d never ride a motorcycle around here and feel safe. Solar wise though this is prime territory.
- bryanlarsen 4y ago
  It might not do well in a collision with an F350, but an Aptera is considerably larger than it looks in pictures. It's wider and higher than a Tesla Model S. It'll fit a surfboard in the trunk, or a bicycle without any disassembly.
- antisthenes 4y ago
  I really hope so too, but from my perspective, Aptera has been in perpetual vaporware since at least 2006. Yes, they evolved into something different now with the advent of EVs, but they still no product to show for all their efforts. And now that 90% of manufacturers have their own EV, I'm not sure Aptera's use case even exists anymore outside of an extremely narrow market niche.
UncleOxidant 4y ago
I hope Altera makes it to production. Solar aside, it's probably the most efficient EV based on weight and drag coefficient. You can plug it into 110V and get plenty of range for commuting, much less strain on the power grid, less battery materials needed.
- tromp 4y ago
  It is by far the most aerodynamic at a Cd of 0.13. Next best is the 0.17 of either the experimental Mercedes Benz EQXX or of the cancelled Lightyear 0. My only reservation about the Aptera is the huge distance between the front wheels, which hampers maneuvering in tight spots, risks hitting curbs, and in the worst case other vehicles.

by tromp 4y ago

ianai 4y ago

I really hope aptera succeeds. I personally would buy one, but I live and work where I’m surrounded at all times by most of the largest mass production vehicles. I’d never ride a motorcycle around here and feel safe. Solar wise though this is prime territory.

bryanlarsen 4y ago
It might not do well in a collision with an F350, but an Aptera is considerably larger than it looks in pictures. It's wider and higher than a Tesla Model S. It'll fit a surfboard in the trunk, or a bicycle without any disassembly.
antisthenes 4y ago
I really hope so too, but from my perspective, Aptera has been in perpetual vaporware since at least 2006. Yes, they evolved into something different now with the advent of EVs, but they still no product to show for all their efforts. And now that 90% of manufacturers have their own EV, I'm not sure Aptera's use case even exists anymore outside of an extremely narrow market niche.

UncleOxidant 4y ago

I hope Altera makes it to production. Solar aside, it's probably the most efficient EV based on weight and drag coefficient. You can plug it into 110V and get plenty of range for commuting, much less strain on the power grid, less battery materials needed.

tromp 4y ago
It is by far the most aerodynamic at a Cd of 0.13. Next best is the 0.17 of either the experimental Mercedes Benz EQXX or of the cancelled Lightyear 0. My only reservation about the Aptera is the huge distance between the front wheels, which hampers maneuvering in tight spots, risks hitting curbs, and in the worst case other vehicles.