Comments by "N. Bruce Nelson" (@n.brucenelson5920) on "The Electric Viking" channel.

  1. Sam, I spent many years working in quality control for many industries, including almost all the automotive firms, food suppliers and drug manufacturers. Throughout my career in manufacturing quality control I had my job threatened and was once fired for refusing to falsify data. In that case, the board found out, got rid of the CEO and gave me my job back with back pay. The pressure is always there, and it is important for a company to hire people who have a sense of their own integrity, even in the face of threats to their personal income.
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  2. Hydrogen is a complete non-starter for wide adoption in personal transportation. The efficiency cycle is horrible, especially compared to much simpler EVs.
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  3.  @TracingRobots  Tesla gave their permission to treat their connector as a standard after Aptera asked them to make it available ti everyone. SAE is writing standards and test procedures to make sure all versions will be compatible.
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  4.  @林振华-t4v  No, NACS is becoming an SAE standard so interoperation will be assured between any manufactures building to the stndards.
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  5. Sam, at 74 years old, and around 1/2 a million miles on 2 wheels, I can relate. I just want to say, Get well soon, and keep doing what you need to do to be the You you wish to be. Use wisdom in your choices, and know that you are loved no matter what.
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  6. I am a life long climate change activist and this is one of the stupidest moves I have ever heard of to get people to change their behavior. Shame on whoever thinks this is a good idea!
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  7. It should not be forgotten that Aptera used the Tesla connector on its prototypes from the very beginning. Chris Anthony spoke often about why it was a superior solution to anything else out there. Aptera started a petition to make it the NACS standard that was signed by 40,000 people, at first to a great deal of ridicule from the online "experts". Aptera was the first company to push Tesla into opening up the connector to others and apparently made a convincing case, when they won approval to include it on their first production vehicles, and then Ford followed shortly with their announcement. After that it was dominos. I believe that we will see a like revolution as soon as people can experience the delta models in person. I base this in part on longer rides my wife and I had in an alpha prototype in October of 2021.
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  8. Oh, Sam! Please give Shanny a big hug from all of us. I haven't been to Australia, but I have had similar experiences on bicycles and motorcycles, and I been taken in to homes around the world, including places such as Iran, Japan, and Germany. You will both be in my prayers, and I will share this with friends of mine so we can remember you together. We wish you joy!
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  9. The spacing of Aptera's front wheel track to the center makes dodging potholes a much easier task than with most 3 wheelers. I ordered the full solar, even living in Iowa where I get about 1/2 the solar insolation as Southern California. It will still pay for itself- hardly a useless gimmick, and will exchange our range when we go camping. I have placed my bet by ordering one and investing.
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  10. While most of this is true, they will not use the regulations to get around safety. In fact it is an equal goal with efficiency. The 3 wheels gives them less cost, less weight, better aerodynamics and less rolling resistance. They will voluntarily submit production samples to a third party for FMVSS Part 200 crash testing and have the results published. Aptera will still fit in a compact parking space.
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  11.  @EverhardVideos  My question was for Mark Plott. The fact that Aptera meets or exceeds all applicable FMVSS and NHTSA standards is found in Aptera's annual report filings which are available to anyone who does due diligence.
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  12. Aptera will be voluntarily crash tested to FMVSS Part 200 standards by a third party as soon as production intent vehicles are available to test, and the ratings will be published. It has been designed from the beginning to be as safe as possible. It will have front and rear crumple zones, a Kevlar and carbon fiber passenger safety cage, seat belts and air bags among other safety measures. I expect that the ratings will be very good, but we will have to see once the test results are available.
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  13. Unless the corporate safety and quality culture is strict, people don't even look after their own safety, let alone that of others. There was a nuclear accident at a nuclear power plant that I had done safety related quality work at, due to workers getting too comfortable with the procedures and starting to ignore them. It seems to be a deeply rooted human nature problem.
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  14. There are many people who take this as their default position without doing due diligence and it was an easy position to take starting out. At this point, however, they have billion dollar VC firms represented on their board, and raised $100.9M in funding over 9 rounds. They have taken in over 25,000 pre-orders and the rate is increasing. They have their factory space, and a factory design produced by Sandy Munro Associates who are also investors. They also have supply contracts for the major components, including batteries, motors, and vehicle wiring from major suppliers. They are moving much faster than Tesla did originally, or now with the Cybertruck. I expect that we will have production Aptera on the road before we ever see Cybertrucks, in spite of both vehicles starting development at around the same time and the far greater resources available to Tesla.
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  15. It is designed to do well on the FMVSS part 200 crash tests and will be voluntarily tested to them and the results published as soon as there are delta production intent vehicles available to test.
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  16. There are already 25,000 preorders, and interest will explode once the first models hit the street. They are also planning to introduce a 5 passenger, 4 wheel sedan for their next model. This company is going to have legs.
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  17.  @toyotaprius79  Aptera now has orders for fleet use. We could see special versions developed for the right order size.
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  18. Three years to amortize the feature is amazingly good.
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  19.  @brunoheggli2888  I rode in a prototype and didn't find even it to be uncomfortable. The production models will be even better. However for rural Kent, width could be an issue. Once there are samples driving in the UK we will know more.
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  20. I got my order in the first hour they were open. The news regarding C.P.C. Group produced bodies means the vehicle they will deliver will be far better than what we initially ordered.
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  21. Chris Anthony has already co-founded and taken a lithium battery company public as CEO. They produce LFP batteries, so if they were a viable choice for this vehicle, I think Aptera would have been glad to use them. None of the Chinese vehicles offered now come close to Aptera in cost of operation or safety. This may change, but I don't see anything on the horizon at the moment with as sharp a focus as the Aptera has on its mission for any price.
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  22.  @durinok  I agree and I think Aptera themselves have always thought of this first model as a niche vehicle.
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  23.  @nlewis1111  Probably included in the first production models. We should have confirmation of this in a few days.
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  24.  @fourteenfour1  "is a near three year pay back " - pretty darn good, plus depending on how your grid is powered, a reduction in the stress on the grid - a big win for everyone, even those who can't use an Aptera.
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  25. It will greatly improve on the performance of my present car in every respect - cost, acceleration, payload, and on and on.
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  26.  @bluetoad2668  Very unlikely. They don't have any of the factors in place now that led to the first liquidation, and many plusses that even Tesla didn't have in their beginning, including more honest leadership.
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  27.  @ernestgalvan9037  I see you didn't follow. There is still plenty of room to find market niches that are not yet addressed, which was true of the Roadster and is true of Aptera.
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  28.  @ssing7113  You just outed yourself as a wilting flower if that is your worry.
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  29. Far safer than anything else in its class. It comes with front and rear crumple zones, an F1 style passenger safety cage, seat belts and air bags, and will be voluntarily crash tested to automotive safety standards. The results will be published before shipping starts.
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  30. No one can foretell the future with certainty, but those of us who are in early can help make it happen. I think the risk of being wrong is worth it for the world we can be giving our grand children if we are right.
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  31. As a car nut who has followed similar ideas to the Aptera going back to the A. Morelli shape back in the '80s, I am thrilled with both the concept and the practicality my wife and I experienced during a ride in a prototype. The acceleration must be experienced. This is not just an "economy" car.
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  32. Sandy is an investor and designed the factory floor layout. I am sure he will continue to weigh in.
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  33. I live in Iowa where it has been below zero for the past couple of days. The abs/traction control should make it a gem with proper tires. I will be reporting on my experience, possibly as soon as next year this time.
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  34. Aptera has always been presented as a niche vehicle, but the size of the niche is far larger than the founder's had originally imagined. There are now well over 38,000 pre-orders (not the number mentioned in the video) but I think that once a few are on the road the demand will explode. There are many retired couples and young people where the low cost of operation will be extremely attractive. And as one of the few couples who have hand a chance to ride in a prototype,, my wife and I know that the performance even of the 2WD version is major fun!.
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  35. Lucky you. Here in Iowa, I will get more like 20 miles per day. Still worth the full solar option.
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  36. Australia will register it as a car.
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  37. Aptera has front and rear crumple zones and air bags. It will be voluntarily tested to FMVSS Part 200 automotive crash test standards by a third party and the results made public.
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  38. I suggest looking into what is already in place. Funding, key suppliers, a factory - they are doing what they need to at a far faster pace than has been typical in the industry.
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  39. Perhaps most EVs. But Aptera has saved enough "wasted" power to make it pay off.
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  40.  @noleftturns  You can mock, but you will end up being sorry.
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  41.  @noleftturns  I have ridden in a prototype and I can assure you from personal experience that the performance is no joke. You seem rather confident when you have no experience in one.
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  42. I live in Iowa, not exactly the middle of the sun belt, and my Aptera solar panels will amortize in about 4 years or less.
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  43.  @noleftturns  You clearly haven't done sufficient investigation into this vehicle - too bad you are setting yourself up to miss a Lamborghini type production at a bargain price.
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  44.  @JC-cf4rs  completely false narrative. It is quite easy to look up the public record as I have.
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  45. Yes, and not only efficient, but with performance that equals FUN!, plus surprising utility. My wife and I have ridden in a prototype and can't wait to get ours.
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  46. Well, they are not vaporware - my wife and I have both ridden in a prototype. And they are not yet on the stock market. Unlike "hobbyist" projects, Aptera has the backing of major automotive suppliers in the US, Asia, and Europe. When the funding comes through to produce the tooling, production will start.
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  47. No one who understands the hydrogen fuel cycle would agree for personal transportation. It is an obvious dead end.
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  48.  @marcc.490  It is too early to know. Once the initial funding hurtle is crossed, Aptera will be moving more strongly to explore release and even production in other countries. Step by Step. It is Aptera's hope to get the vehicle into Australia.
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  49. Thomas, while this is not investment advice, you are not alone.
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  50. In addition SAE will be designing a test protocol to insure that NACS equipment from different manufacturers will be compatible.
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  51. Sadly, the availability of transportation qualified reversing valves has a rather dramatic lead time of at least 3 years compared to off the shelf availability before Covid. This is impacting Aptera and likely other companies as well. The higher r value of the Aptera bodies will help compensate for some of this comparative loss.
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  52. Aptera has been designed from the beginning to meet FMVSS Part 200 crash test standards, will be voluntarily tested by a third party and do well. Don't spread falsehoods.
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  53. Australian press has been referring to it as a car. I don't think we know how Australia will class it yet, but Aptera wants to bring it to Australia and is already working with authorities there to meet Australian requirements.
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  54. The order is not binding. It is refundable by request at any time. There was a 1/2 price Christmas special, and you can get a code from any preorder holder for $30 off the $100 Check the web site if you want to take advantage of it. There are over 15,000 preorders now. At least it will get you a place in line.
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  55. The "dorky" thing is your personal reaction and I can't address it. However, as soon as Aptera has production intent vehicles available, they will be crash tested by a third party to FMVSS Part 200 standards and the ratings will be published. i think they will do very well.
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  56.  @icosthop9998  I live in Iowa, not exactly the sun belt, but the cost of the solar will clearly amortize, and pay for most of my local travel, except when we go on long trips. It will also be useful for camping, and get us to destinations we could not otherwise stay comfortably at.
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  57.  @danharold3087  It is far from clear that either EA or Ford will sell chargers sourced from Tesla. There will be plenty of other sources for chargers meeting the same spec. You may be right though.
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  58. Aptera is already getting fleet orders and has just started a fleet order section, probably defined as a corporate order for 5 or more vehicles, but this is still in development.
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  59. James, I look forward to your reports! I will be getting one of the first Paradigm edition models and using it in Iowa.
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  60. Enough to cover the daily average commute distance for many owners of Aptera - hardly a stupid choice that also helps an overloaded grid.
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  61.  @markplott4820  Stop repeating this lie. It isn't true.
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  62. ​ @jjackson3240  Mark is mistaken. I currently meets all of the requirements that apply and will be voluntarily tested by a third party to the FMVSS Part 200 crash test standards and the ratings published as soon as production intent vehicles are available to test. The Tesla Cybertruck has the same status.
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  63.  @markplott4820  Lol! FUD.
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  64. Love your comment, but I am 73, and an early pre-order holder and investor. Some of us have kept our ear to the ground.
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  65.  @mitobi  Ah, sorry I mis-understood. Yes, new thinking is hard and always resisted. It comes with the territory.
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  66. Sadly, yes. They will continue on a much smaller scale as a solar panel company.
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  67. Upvoted for a hopeful take.
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  68. Aptera has a carbon fiber passenger cage, plus front and rear crumple zones and airbags. It will test very well and the results revealed before they go on sale.
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  69.  @itekani  We are in agreement.
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  70. There will be crowds of girls waiting for a ride, especially when they experience the acceleration. My wife certainly had a smile on her face after a ride in a prototype.
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  71. It is certainly a niche car, but they are already getting fleet orders. Not just a hobby car....
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  72. I doubt it. I plan to drive mine in all weather in Iowa. I will report on my experience when the time comes. The ABS/traction control can detect wheel slip and adjust torque 32 times per wheel revolution for each driven wheel - about every 2.5" of tread travel.
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  73.  @-V-K-  Lets all hope not. Even if they could somehow make producing hydrogen and using it as efficient as electricity, it will still require far more expensive cars with more parts to use it. It is fundamentally a non starter.
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  74.  @markplott4820  It meets all regulations for its class now, and will even be voluntarily tested by a third party to the FMVSS Part 200 crash test standards and the ratings will be published as soon as production intent vehicles are available to test. Where are you getting your bad information?
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  75. In actual fact Apteras have a top speed of 110 miles per hour, limited by the motor controllers. the 1000 mile range in the largest battery model is at EPA highway test conditions which average around 48-50 mph. In San Diego they may well gain 44 miles of range per day. In my home in Iowa, I expect to get an average of around 20 miles per day from solar at these speeds.
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  76.  @RedBatteryHead  I agree with most of what you say here. Few people if any, are going to plan 1000 mile trips and drive under EPA Highway conditions in any case However, it does give a comparison point the that is somewhat standardized. I myself have done 1000 trips in less than 24 hours on a BMW R80, a vehicle that is considerably less comfortable. The claim provides a comparison point for what is possible, for instance, sufficient trip range at speed, even with the heater or A/C on at full blast. That said, I have chosen the 400 mile range model with full solar. Living in small town Iowa, I expect a daily solar gain of around 20 miles - still more than enough for my daily driving needs plus the occasional round trip to Des Moines or Kansas City without ever having to plug in. The performance specs serve a purpose in allowing a buyer to choose a vehicle that will meet their needs. The 250 mile range model will meet the needs of many commuters and sport riders, while being easier on the pocket book, and due to the lighter weight, even more thrilling to drive than the larger battery models.
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  77.  @humanresources3545  Aptera is actually going to have Production Intent vehicles undergoing validation testing by Q2. The earliest shipping vehicles are more likely to be the very end of 2024 or early 2025. A $100 refundable deposit (or $70 with a code from an existing deposit holder) can get you a place in line and there is little risk in getting one. I don't recommend investing, though, unless you are committed enough to what they are doing that you can consider it a donation.
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  78. I completely agree, and have ordered the 400 mile range model for use in Iowa. I am expecting to do road trips, and the battery still will permit occasional round trips to Des Moines and Kansas City on solar alone. The one factor not mentioned here is that the larger battery sizes would be a bargain if they could also be used for home power or grid support through V2G - this remains to be seen.
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  79. Aptera used the EPA highway cycle to compute their ranges, which has spikes up to 67, but only averages around 49-50 mph. For cross country Interstate driving in the West, and especially in winter, I don't expect to get the stated ranges and the speeds I will be driving at. I still think that with 50 kW DC chargers only requiring stops of an hour, range will be more than sufficient for our needs with the 40 kWh pack.
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  80. They have been designed to be in the US, and they are working with European homologation experts. I will personally report on the winter handling when I drive my early model Aptera in Iowa.
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  81. Art, you have gotten some incorrect information. Aptera will be registered as an autocycle and is not required to be crash tested. In fact, many actual cars for sale in the US have not been crash tested either. Aptera has been designed from the beginning to pass such tests, and will be voluntarily tested by an independent third party to the FMVSS Part 200 standards and the ratings published. We know from virtual testing that it will score very well.
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  82. I have done more than watch videos. I have spoken with their suppliers, visited the factory and ridden in a prototype. They are as real as any early stage company is.
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  83. Poor eye.
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  84. Press is already getting opportunities for test drives or rides with the prototype. I am not even press and had a ride in the Luna prototype, which was far more thrilling in the twisties than I had guessed it would be. When I pick mine up I will offer rides to as many people as I can.
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  85.  @anthonyobrien3685  To understand what this means, one needs to understand the amount of energy used to create that much fuel. It takes about about 48 kWh of electricity to produce 1 kg of hydrogen. To produce a gallon of gasoline takes around 4.8kWh. This is a difference that hydrogen can't overcome, especially when you throw in fuel cell complexity, cost, and efficiency compared to charging batteries and using the power in electric motors.
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  86. To me, the 1000 mile range version is overkill for most potential customers. Even though I plan some long road trips with my wife, the 400 mile range version will more than meet our needs (even considering that at common highway speeds the actual range will be significantly less than the EPA highway rating)
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  87.  @scottmcshannon6821  Perhaps you should say CAN plug it in. Where I live in Iowa, I will probably only get about 20 miles of range per day, but in a small town that will be more than enough. I will have enough power from solar to do occasional round trips to Des Moines and Kansas City without plugging in. It will only be on long road trips where this will be necessary. As always YMMV.
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  88.  @toddmarshall416  This has already changed in Europe and many other countries. Many US manufacturers see the same advantages that Aptera does. I think you will be surprised.
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  89.  @scottmcshannon6821  What does the vehicle cost that you haul groceries in now? The Aptera performance likely beats what ever it is, while costing less to operate.
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  90. I have plenty of experience riding motorcycles in LA and other places under the same traffic conditions. I am not worried about Aptera, even in the event of a crash.
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  91. The second planned Aptera is a 4 wheel 5 passenger sedan. Stay tuned.
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  92. I took a close look at the Elio back in the day, and knew the motor they announced was impossible at the price and different from what their "prototypes" were running on. The Aptera story has been hugely different all along. Aptera has built alliances with major automotive suppliers
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  93.  @JamaicanMeCrazy  the battery in gamma is around 40 kWh.
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  94. The operating cost makes it far less expensive to own than anything comparable at the moment. You are ignoring this difference. It is not just the initial purchase price.
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  95. With 25 cu ft plus of storage, it will be our warehouse trip hauler as well as daily driver and vacation cross country cruiser. Start looking for reports when production begins.
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  96. Aptera will have air bags and be tested to the same crash test standards as regular cars.
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  97. Aptera Corp only started in 2019 with this new design. The final design will be revealed within days. Investment is the gating issue for production to start. If sufficient resources come, I think the first of us will be taking delivery around this time next year. The good news is that with C.P.C. Group producing bodies, they will be able to scale production to meet demand much more quickly than with the previous vacuum resin infusion plan, and with far higher parts precision. One should be cautious, but I know of no other company that has started as strongly, including Tesla.
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  98.  @0ldManJenkinsNH  You are incorrect. Both my wife and I have ridden in Aptera - with the Tesla port. They were the first company to get Tesla to allow others to use it, and started a petition that was signed by 40,000 others that got the other manufacturers to notice.
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  99.  @0ldManJenkinsNH  It means a great deal to anyone doing due diligence. At the same relative point in 2008, Tesla was already shipping cars - defective ones with transmissions that broke. Aptera has more functional prototypes than Tesla's shipping cars. Aptera is rather farther ahead than Tesla was, both financially and in terms of design maturity. If they keep that advantage soon people will care, Once people actually understand what their wasteful transportation system is doing to their weather everyone will care about sporty vehicles that use 2.5 times less power for performance of 0-60 in 4 seconds.
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  100. My wife and I can say from the experience of riding in an alpha prototype that it is thrilling!
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  101.  @aussieideasman8498  And look at the tape measurements that Steve from Aptera Owner's Club made. What is your point?
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  102.  @vic321344  As if the load rating is not in addition to the battery pack....
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  103.  @vic321344  This is one of your more idiotic claims.
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  104. None of these points are valid if you do any research at all. The car is not tiny and about the same size as a Prius with 25 cu ft of storage space - in fact it can sleep a couple in comfort. You have about 3 ft of space between each front wheel and the rear, so if you can't straddle many pot holes with that you should get your driving skills checked. The $25,900 asking price for the base model before incentives is a real bargain compared to other EVs that offer similar safety features in the design.
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  105. It has been below zero all day where I live, and I know the vehicle rather well since my wife and I have ridden in a prototype. We can hardly wait.
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  106. It has at least as much as other small 2 seaters. I expect it will be fine even on our rural gravel roads in Iowa.
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  107. This depends greatly on the country. Since it exceeds every performance spec of my current 4 wheeled car, if it walks like a duck....
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  108. The NACS connector will be an SAE standard that insures interoperability .
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  109. You are correct about a roof rack, but there will be a small towing capability.
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  110. I always appreciate your reporting, Sam.
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  111. I was hit from behind at 60 mph by a driver in a SUV who fell asleep while driving my 1800 lb Honda Insight. I was uninjured. I expect my Aptera will be even safer due to specifics of the 20 year newer design.
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  112.  @truhartwood3170  While you are not wrong, a major part of safety is staying away from collisions in the first place. I have over 400,000 miles on motorcycles, with many of them 2 up to attest to that. Aptera will not go un noticed on the roads for a few years at least
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  113. If you have the tent option, you can lift the rear hatch and still see out the back while camping. I have ordered it myself, and will be taking mine directly to Death Valley from the factory.
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  114.  @vic321344  Why do you keep posting false information?
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  115.  @trentnethin5715  It hasn't even been tested yet. Aptera has long been working with international holomogation experts to insure that the vehicles will meet the requirements of their respective markets.
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  116.  @trentnethin5715  You have mis-understood their reply. They have thousands of inquiries every single day and are doing their best to answer them all. Some of these people are relatively new and you aren't going to get a full engineering answer in the time they have to respond. They already have compliance experts working on homologation, and have for some time. This is not going to be an issue in Australia. If you had tried to send an email to Tesla about anything - see if you get a response of any kind!
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  117. Thank you! I am also an early supporter, as a charter Aptera brand ambassador, an early investor, and holder of the 42nd Aptera Paradigm preorder (December 4, 2020). My wife and I rode in the Luna Prototype last November. We agree that this is a VERY exciting vehicle, and I hope to show off ours as soon as we take delivery next year.
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  118.  @vic321344  Perhaps you don't think you "will" make it to your next birthday? If so, how sad for you.
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  119. I live in Iowa with about 1/2 the solar insolation. I calculate that the full solar version will still pay for the vehicle from fuel savings.
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  120. If you looked at what happened then it would give you even more confidence. Elio never said their deposits were refundable. Not only did Aptera refund the deposits, they also paid off all of their vendors and gave their employees severance. By the way, 2009 was when the founders lost control of the company. They liquidated in 2011. As always do your due diligence. It appears you haven't done so yet.
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  121.  @johnmichaeltracy9050  Good forr you. Wishing you all the best!
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  122. Through the homologation rules. Vic knows he is talking through his hat.
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  123.  @solexxx8588  No, but both my wife and I have had rides in an Aptera prototype. Mine was with engineer Daniel Morris - a rather lengthy one showing what it could do.
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  124. Even the alpha Apteras clear steep speed bumps better than most small Japanese economy cars, which I know from personal experience. The final design for the wheel pants is not fixed, but it will not get worse.
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  125. Aptera is designed for a couple at most. You may wish to wait until they bring out their 4 wheel, 5 passenger sedan. They won't promote it until they are shipping the 2 seater.
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  126. I will report on my experience with a 2WD model in Iowa during all 4 seasons.
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  127. I plan to use mine year round in Iowa and will report on our experience.
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  128. My wife and I can report after having a ride in an alpha prototype that it is big FUN!
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  129. It is equipped with air bags and will be crash tested by an independent 3rd party to US FMVSS Part 200 crash test standards. It has been continually virtually crash tested through the development process. It is safe.
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  130. I live in Iowa and have already talked to my local shop. They can't wait to work on it. You could do the same.
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  131. HA, Ha! Pricing is on their web site and starts at US $25,900 before incentives and delivery charges. If you start with garbage in, then your conclusions will be the same -GIGO. As far as putting money down, everyone has their own reasons for investing and you can't know what they are. It is foolish to call investing "bad advice" at this early stage. It would be wise to read and heed the warnings in their financials, however.
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  132.  @aussieideasman8498  There are many more than that. Only one is supported by the public record, reflected in the court filings and other official records of the time.. There are plenty of videos from that time purporting to show things they weren't actually showing, such as the "crushing of prototypes", which were actually only a few defective shells. Sandy Munro is not as gullible as you seem to be.
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  133. The passenger safety cage is carbon fiber, for sure.
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  134.  @tonystanley5337  Tony, I have a Chevy P30 step van, which is wider than an Aptera and even it fits in a compact parking space, which is 96" in the US. A standard space is 108". It fits. (and I have ridden in a prototype in the US).
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  135. The second planned Aptera is a 4 wheel, 5 passenger sedan. They have listed an entire series of models in their SEC filings. This first one has to be delivered until we see the others, so there will not be a lot of information until these are shipping.
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  136. When the rear hatch is lifted there is at least 25 cu ft of storage in the back- likely more with the gamma redesign. It can even fit two tall people to sleep on camping trips!
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  137.  @markplott4820  Yes. Look at the financials. The 6 month SEC report is out recently and it shows an amazingly healthy balance sheet with around 19 million cash on hand, same as 6 months ago with a greatly increased burn rate, due to opening solar and battery factories for production and not counting a 21 million dollar grant they just got from California. There is not a hint of fraud.
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  138.  @markplott4820  Of course that is a fair request. There is already a great deal of evidence - more than we have for the Tesla Cybertruck at this point, which started design around the same time. Once there are production intent vehicles available to test, they will be voluntarily tested to FMVSS automotive crash standards by a third party and the results published. That should happen early next year.
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  139.  @jonsek  That is correct, but in most areas the enhanced solar will add to the resale value, the utility for camping, and pay for itself in free power compared to paying the utility company. Here in Iowa, where I will only get around 20 miles per day due to lower solar insolation, it will still pay for itself. Run your own numbers, but for many of us even in cloudier areas, it is kind of a no-brainer.
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  140. It will be interesting to see how it does. I live in Iowa where we have just spent a few days with -40 and below wind chill conditions. I will be giving my experience with an early model when we take delivery.
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  141. Correct, except for the parts are not cast, but produced by UV cured vacuum resin infusion.
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  142. "Aptera didn't eliminate a wheel to improve rolling resistance." Of course they did. It is one of the major contributors to the overall performance goals they are hitting - not just a bonus. It also results in lighter weight and lower costs. The regulation thing is the "bonus" as you say.
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  143.  @JEP-Tech  "Not to mention that you are sacrificing stability, performance, comfort, and safety by making a three wheel car." My wife and I have ridden in a prototype. Based on our experience, we will differ on those points. Also you need to take a closer look at Aptera's history. They never went bankrupt - even the first time.
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  144. Practical? The ability to camp, sleeping two people and their dog in a 2 seater, fit 25 cu ft of goods in the back from shopping trips and using a third of the power with equal or better acceleration than most competitors hits all the buttons for many of us. Little if anything starting at $25,900 comes close - especially in cost of ownership.
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  145. The definition doesn't change the utility, and cost is not the only factor. The cost of running it will return the investment in savings, even here in Iowa where I will only get 1/2 the solar range on average.
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  146.  @vic321344  You are posting non-sense. The first Aptera, Inc produced vehicle passed with the highest rating of any vehicle tested up until that time. You have no data to back up your claim. As soon as there are production intent vehicles available to test from Aptera Corp, , they will be third party tested to FMVSS automotive standards and the ratings published. Then we will see.
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  147.  @aussieideasman8498  As did Lucid and other automotive prototypes that they are trying to test to failure. BTW, the Aptera beta never overturned, even running it into curbs.
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  148.  @ledsalesoz  The first time, they were liquidated and didn't go bankrupt. This happened after Idealab, the startup incubator they were partnered with, hired management from Detroit that wanted to build a more conventional vehicle and ousted the founders. The original founders are back after founding and running successful companies, including a successful publicly traded lithium battery company. Their restart has been much smoother than Tesla's start both in tech development and financial management.
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  149. The Reliant Robin became a joke that sold 1/2 million copies and took Reliant to the #2 manufacturer's position in GB. Aptera has FAR better performance.
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  150. Not sure the Federal tax credit will apply. Some states have credits Aptera qualifies for, and they just got awarded a 21 million dollar grant from the state of California for production purposes.
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  151. They have already designed the RHD models.
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  152. Not a given for something new like this. Laws can change. They had to change in the US to give this design a foothold.
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  153.  @markplott4820  They are on track for first production delivery in December and you are wrong about not meeting FMVSS standards.
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  154.  @PC-vq5ud  Not too surprising. I have served on a regulatory safety committee developing standards for high voltage DC in vehicles. It is astounding the number of highly paid man hours that go into researching the issues, setting the standards, and then determining how to document compliance. Much of the original research was done at Cal Berkeley in the 30s by hooking grad students up to give them ever increasing electric shocks and recording the results - something that would be illegal to do today. - and this is just one of many safety elements that engineers have to be aware of, both from a design and regulatory compliance standpoint.
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  155.  @ssing7113  So wrong that I am guessing you are single, and this lack of judgement is probably an indication why.
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  156. I have ordered a well equipped 400 mile model for mid thirties.
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  157. Depending on which Tesla and when you ordered. I think it very likely that I will be driving my Aptera before any Cybertrucks are on the road, and they both started development around the same time.
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  158.  @richarddixon6352  I am very likely to be in my Aptera next year. When it happens, I will be posting video and documenting my experiences.
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  159.  @richarddixon6352  Richard, Aptera Corp hasn't even been in business that long. Why would you say things like that that we all know are not true?
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  160.  @richarddixon6352  You have really not done any due diligence on this as your comment shows. The original Aptera, Inc. started in 2005 as an Idealab company. Once they were ready to start production, Idealab hired a CEO from Detroit with production experience. He decided he didn't want to build the vehicle he was hired for, and managed to remove the founders from the board with the help of Google and other large investors in 2009. He could not raise the funds to design his idea of a more conventional car, and liquidated the company in 2011, returning the customer deposits, paying off vendors, and giving the employees severance. They never went bankrupt. Both founders went on to found new successful companies. Chris Anthony co founded a lithium battery company in 1998 and took it public as CEO. I invested and it is making me money. He was able to buy back the rights to the original Aptera in 2019, restarted a new company, Aptera Corp, and regathered the original key people and began with a brand new design. Progress has been breathtaking, and real sophisticated alt energy investors who have done their due diligence know this and more.
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  161.  @vic321344  Apart from the fact that you can't express yourself in proper English, What is this "flaw" that you speak of? The original design was pubished by A. Morelli in the early 80s, but has never been found to be flawed. Aptera is not the just the second project that was inspired by it. There have been several others. But it is not a copy either. In fact the size has changed, and there have been thousands of runs of computer programs that didn't exist when the Morelli body was first thought of, refining both the shape and the performance. It would be a novel thing if you actually researched your topic before writing more nonsense. BTW if you look at Aptera's last SEC filing, you will see that you are even wrong about your "no product" claim. They now have a revenue stream.
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  162. That is what many thought about Tesla's EV conversion of the Lotus....
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  163. I own an 1800 lb Honda Insight. I was hit from behind on the Interstate by an SUV driver who fell asleep. I was uninjured and found another one. Aptera will be even safer, and exceed the other performance parameters of my Honda by a large margin. They have had the time to develop better technology in the mean time.
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  164. It has already been tested and has far less wind pressure or change in direction than most much heavier SUVs have. Even my 1800 lbs Gen 1 Honda Insight isn't as bad in 50 mph side winds as they are, and Aptera is even better.
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  165. Probably an attitude that explains why you are still single. :). My wife had a ride in one and she is convinced!
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  166.  @aussieideasman8498  Too bad you are left out in the cold.
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  167. We also know the Reliant Robin sold 1/2 million copies, and Aptera far outperforms that.
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  168. It will be voluntarily tested to FMVSS part 200 crash test standards and the results published.
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  169.  @vic321344  Maybe monkeys will fly out of your butt, too. We have all heard that before.
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  170. Far more time than it would take you to incur that much in fuel expenses, or with a larger, less efficient EV. Mine will pay for itself in savings if I drive it as much as I do my present hybrid.
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  171.  @nlewis1111  I missed the context. They are usually "bubble wrap" like sheets of plastic used to cover swimming pools to keep out debris and slow heat loss at night.
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  172. I think that even the Aptera founders are hopeful that that happens.
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  173. Aptera has a 77" front track. There is almost 3 feet between the front wheels and the center rear wheel track. I don't think I will have much problem straddling most potholes I encounter.
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  174. Agreed. Back in the day I took a Covey seminar.
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  175.  @aussieideasman8498  Your claiming things that you have no knowledge of such as crash safety, in contradiction of evidence does not make those things true. You have an active imagination
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  176.  @danharold3087  There are few homes in the US that don't have 220 service for high power devices such as electric dryers, stoves and water heaters.
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  177.  @aussieideasman8498  If Australia doesn't plan for a new future, they will not have one - perhaps of any kind that has human life continuing in it.
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  178. Joe, my wife and I have ridden in a prototype, and neither is remotely true in person.
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  179. I will be getting one of the first ones for all season use in Iowa. I will report on performance in snow.
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  180. It looks like they are already largely compliant with the rules that will apply to them.
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  181. Often links cause comments to be removed, but I will try. https://youtu.be/t5nQkxn_efQ
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  182. I had a ride through the twisties in the Luna prototype just before Thanksgiving. It put many sports cars to shame in acceleration and cornering, even in this early prototype form. People don't expect an "economy car" to deliver this kind of performance. It will be a revelation once more people get to experience this in person.
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  183. You might be confusing your companies. Chris Anthony co-founded and took a lithium battery company public. The founders both ran successful companies after they lost control of the first Aptera in 2009, and they have structured the present Aptera Motors to make this very unlikely to happen again.
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  184. We can imagine anything. But it will get FMVSS Part 200 crash ratings, and you can see for yourself.
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  185. They have built multiple prototypes. My wife and I have both ridden in one of them. They also have over 38,000 pre-orders. They won't be counting sales until they can get the first delta models built and tested. The design has been finished and it depends on financing there will be more detail released in a webinar on January 20th.
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  186.  @gene8172  You are allowed. Only about 1% of the potential market for new products fall in the early adopter category.
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  187. There will be actual data on this when the delta production intent models are voluntarily crash tested to FMVSS automotive standards by a third party and the results published. I had a ride in an alpha model and the engineer driving purposely hit a steep speed bump at a good speed. Based on that I am not too worried, especially since the design is greatly refined for production.
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  188. It is not a mass market car, but many singles and couples will find it the most practical, cost effective and yes, fun for their needs
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  189. Many will use it as a commuter. Once my kids were out of the house, I put several hundred thousand miles on motorcycles. It is a great vehicle for camping. 3.5 second acceleration with the AWD is big fun and even the 2WD is no slouch.
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  190. RHD has already been designed.
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  191. They started on this design in 2019. which is the same year that Tesla announced the Cybertruck. There is a chance that they will be shipping their first Apteras before we see production Cybertrucks. In any case they are making far more rapid progress than Tesla made in doing a simple EV conversion for their first car - and Tesla had a 250 million dollar loan to do it with.
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  192.  @chrisgriffiths2533  You may be confusing the present Aptera Motors with the original company which was sold off in liquidation after the Idealab appointed CEO decided he didn't want to produce the design he had been hired for, and large investors such as Google voted to oust the original founders from control of the company. They bought back the rights in 2019 after having founded and taken public a lithium battery company. There is no company at present offering a serious competitor to the performance niche targeted by Aptera. With their second planned vehicle they will start moving into a competitive space. One huge advantage they have is that their tooling costs are an order of magnitude less expensive than companies such as Tesla.
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  193.  @chrisgriffiths2533  If you think Aptera has competition for their first model, what you think it is? Even the Reliant Robin propelled Reliant to be the 2nd largest automotive manufacturer in GB, and there is a huge difference in the substance of what Aptera is offering compared to what Reliant had in the Robin, compared to other manufactures' products of the time. Aptera's unfilled niche is a small, relatively inexpensive and safe vehicle that meets most needs of an individual or couple with low operating and environmental costs.
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  194.  @chrisgriffiths2533  I see you couldn't answer my question. You seem to have no idea what a market is. Your comment is ridiculous. Hint: even if you baked 100,000 dog turd brownies, it would not increase the number you could sell. The pre-order numbers, including my own, show that there is a specific market. We know generally that early adopters only make up less than 100th of the market potential for a product.
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  195.  @chrisgriffiths2533  Startup is likely to be slow. If they get through the Paradigm production next year, I think it will be a huge win. People will understand what it is when they start seeing them around and getting rides. It may take them a couple of years to catch up with demand. They have already doubled their planned production rate to 20,000 vehicles per year, but how quickly they can reach that level is a question. that isn't yet answerable.
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  196.  @vic321344  Not a shred of evidence for this claim and much to counter it, including a great deal more than we have than that the Cybertruck will pass. (I don't doubt that it will, either) Vic will lie about anything if he thinks he can put Aptera in a bad light.
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  197. Depends on the country. In the US it will be a motorcycle or autocycle voluntarily tested to automotive safety standards.
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  198. HA! It will gain about 3 times the range per hour of charging time as other UK EVs.
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  199. Aussie Ideas man will be at the back of the line, but will enjoy his vehicle immensely when he gets it.
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  200. Aptera is not a "normal" car and has steering modes that are unlike others on the road. You might want to wait to see what they will be able to do with it.
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  201. To be fair $25,900 before incentives gets you a 250 mile range vehicle. You have overlooked the contribution that EVs with V2G tech can make in taking peak load OFF the grid. This isn't counting the contribution of the built in solar. I live in Iowa and i expect to be getting about 20 miles of additional range per day from solar alone. The only time I will ever need to plug in will be on long trips.
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  202. What there has been no mention of so far is the spreading of mercury over the landscape that burning coal causes. Mercury is a nerve poison, and like leaded gas, causes harm where people are unaware of the cause. There is a general increase in nervousness and anxiety in the exposed population.
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  203.  @suijinnoname6412  Exactly. It can't be done.
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  204. Every one who orders one going forward makes it more likely that Aptera will be able to get the funding to actually complete our cars from the first ones of us to the last. Everyone is important, including you, even if you don't realize it!
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  205. I hope Sono gets the funding they need to make it as well.
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  206. I will be getting an early one and report on my experience driving year round in Iowa.
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  207. A nice car itself...
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  208.  @toddmarshall416  This is not the case with the cells and panel design Aptera is using. It used to be the case for some earlier ones.
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  209.  @aussieideasman8498  Damage to a cell destroying the output of an entire panel doesn't happen.
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  210.  @aussieideasman8498  If you are asking about warranty coverage,, it will be in line with industry standards, and will be published after validation tests are complete.
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  211. Really different performance envelope and price points. I think there will be some overlap in market but not much.
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  212. Strange. I worked in Japan for 3 years, starting in 1975, and part of my work was at an electric vehicle company based in Kyoto.
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  213. It will depend on local laws. Not needed in most of the US.
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  214. Rear view mirrors will be installed where they are legally required.
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  215.  @vic321344  It doesn't matter. Aptera has been testing these panels for years. The efficiency of the vehicle compared to the ones you mention makes all the difference.
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  216. To anyone who appreciates functional form it is gorgeous. Even NASA thought so when they did wind tunnel testing on the first bodies.
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  217. Said by someone who has not been paying attention even though he has been willing to comment. Europe and Asia's prime automotive suppliers and leading engineers don't agree with you.
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  218.  @tims8603  Probably more like middle or late next year, but yes, they will be crash tested by an independent third party and will be rated very safe. (we know from virtual crash testing)
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  219. I will be driving an early 2 wheel drive version in snow in Iowa and will report.
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  220.  @JC-cf4rs  no hint of scam from anyone associated with Aptera, and they have a track record. Chris Anthony co-founded a lithium battery company and took it public as CEO and is making investors happy in a difficult market.
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  221. You clearly have not seen the testing that Aptera has already subjected their solar panels to. Even in the unlikely event of a solar panel failure, it will have little impact on the overall utility of the vehicle. There is little down side, and certainly not "doom".
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  222.  @arthouston7361  Yes, your comment here is completely correct. Notice that that is why I said they will be voluntarily tested. They are designed to car safety standards, even though they didn't "have" to be.
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  223. Good to see a fellow Paradigm reservation holder here.
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  224.  @aussieideasman8498  They folded the first time because Idealab hired a CEO who didn't want to do the job he was hired to do, and managed to convince Google and other large investors to remove the founders from control. This time the company is structured in a way that makes that unlikely and we have the history of Chris co-founding and taking another successful company public, so he seems to have learned something in the process. People with far more automotive industry cred that you certainly think so.
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  225. The cost is likely to be prohibitive - sadly. This is something that we as Americans need to get changed.
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  226. ​ @rogergeyer9851 It is pretty clear you aren't experienced with the process of creating FDA validation packages. Once one has been approved most companies with similar products under development chose to use the same measurement models, industry wide.
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  227. I own a Gen 1 Honda Insight in real life. My wife and I have ridden in an Aptera prototype and it promises to exceed our Honda in just about every single performance measure. We will report on our real life experience in the Aptera - perhaps as early as this time next year.
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  228. Aptera also is much more efficient that the Model 3 in its use of that power. The cost to own and drive is several times less, and the vehicle is likely to have a longer service life.
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  229. Jim your numbers are incorrect Even in Iowa, not exactly the middle of the sun belt, I am likely to get an average of 20 miles per day, enough to amortize the cost in around 4 years and remove the burden from both both my monthly running costs and the grid. - a big win!
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  230. Silly to make your mind up on ridiculous false assumptions.
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  231. Prices start at $25,900 for a 250 mile EPA rated vehicle.
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  232. Both my wife and I were very fortunate to have rides in one. She was immediately sold.
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  233. If Segway had been available at 1/10th the price there could have been a place for it. Unfortunately, battery costs were way too high for the utility it could offer most people who had other alternatives.
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  234.  @TankUni  They sold 140,000 of them at over $5,000 each. If the price were right, there would be a larger market.
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  235. The main issue with the state of solar tech is that Tesla is too inefficient for the solar contribution available to make much difference.
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  236. With about 3 feet from the front wheel track to the center wheel, most pot holes should be easy to straddle. It will become second nature with a few hours of practice. I live on a gravel road and am not worried about this.
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  237. I go back to ARPANET and USENET (alt.goodmorning, anyone?) My first bike was a 1942 Indian, and I have over 400,000 miles on 2 wheels. My next vehicle will be an Aptera.
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  238. $25,900 is not a fortune for what is on offer. I have ordered the full solar option, which will clearly pay for itself in electricity savings even in Iowa where I may get less than half the power it would get in San Diego
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  239. This was always thought of as a niche vehicle. The niche is quite large compared to the Tesla Roadster and the second Aptera will be a 4 wheel 5 passenger sedan.
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  240. Sadly, most of the opposition to any environmental concern at all is politically related and a refusal to face the facts based on political power considerations.
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  241. Just a comment that the design is based on the same Morelli body design form 1985, but everything else about the execution is different, including the drive train. There are no common parts between the two, and the new vehicle is larger.
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  242.  @sunrisejak2709  No, those companies were followers, after Aptera did the work to get Tesla to give permission for others to use it and make other the other companies realise why it was a desirable change. Their work came long before Ford and the others even thought about using NACS.
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  243.  @VMYeahVN  It matters because they talked Tesla into making the connector available to other manufacturers with the help of a petition signed by 40,000 people. Tesla would not have opened the connector to competitors if Aptera had not seen the benefits to everyone and made a convincing case.
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  244.  @VMYeahVN  No. You have your dates wrong. EVgo announced that they would offer CHAdeMO, SAE Combo or CCS, and Tesla connectors without the need of a separate adapter in 2020, not 2021. Aptera was already using the Tesla connector when they started in 2019. Chris Anthony owned a Model X and released a video explaining why he thought it was a superior choice and that the Aptera prototypes would use it with the hopes that Tesla would allow them to make it a standard part of the Aptera design, which, of course they eventually did. I rode in an Aptera prototype that had the Tesla connector in 2021. I was working in the industry at the time as a supplier and saw things develop first hand. I was across the street from Tesla in 2008, and my company hired the Tesla engineers when Tesla ran out of money and had to lay them off. I know what I am talking about.
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  245.  @VMYeahVN  It seems my reply with links has been removed. The press coverage from the time is out there, including directly from Aptera and Green Car Reports - you can find the articles yourself.
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  246. Having ridden in an alpha, I know that there is plenty of room between either front wheel and the center to straddle most potholes.
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  247. The thing is that Aptera is not a fashion statement, but is designed for performance.
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  248. What State are you in? I think there may be only three such States left and there have been proposals to change this in all three. If that is true where you are, call your local rep and make a difference.
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  249. Aptera has already designed RHD models and they will be offered where needed.
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  250. You have not grasped the performance, safety or size of this vehicle with your comment.
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  251.  @johnnyv5995  I presently drive a Gen 1 Honda Insight which weighs about the same as a 40 kWh battery Aptera. The 100 kW battery pack would be required to 1600 km on a charge. The Gen 1 Honda got safety ratings of 4s when it was crash tested. I was hit from behind by a large car on the freeway at 60 mph and was uninjured. You can bet I found another to replace it. The Aptera design has superior safety engineering in several areas and will be voluntarily crash tested to automotive standards. We don't have the ratings yet, but by design it is safer than that car was - in part because it has larger crumple zones and an F1 style passenger safety cage the Honda lacks, plus air bags and other safety features with more advanced design.
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  252. Look up the Reliant Robin, which sold around 1/2 million copies and took Reliant to the #2 manufacturer's position in Great Britain. Lots of your claims are likely to be the opposite of the reality. With only around 6 thousand parts, the repairability and dependability are likely to be FAR better, and Sandy Munro agrees. Few regular cars have the low cost of operation nor the performance fun factor of Aptera. 28 cu ft of storage and enough space to sleep a couple also argue for its utility.
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  253.  @aussieideasman8498  Robin was inexpensive but just adequate for the time. Aptera outperforms its rivals for the price today. Many people are still price sensitive - that hasn't changed.
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  254.  @aknsd2009  the Tesla Roadster has sold a total of fewer than 2500 vehicles. The niche occupied by Aptera is far larger and will lead to mass market vehicles.
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  255.  @michaelmay9958  In the US it even fits in compact spaces....
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  256.  @scottmcshannon6821  Not if you compare it to a Tesla Roadster, which the proper comparison for the companies' first vehicle.
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  257.  @petemiller519  Pete I am 73, and fully acknowledge that Aptera is a niche vehicle not for everyone. However, for a retired couple or a young person starting out, I wonder what compromises you see? Aptera will improve on our present 2 seat Honda in almost every category - cost of ownership, carrying capacity, range and acceleration (think fun factor). Also the safety of a superior ABS/Traction control.
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  258.  @petemiller519  Since it is just my wife and I now, and we can sleep in the back, towing capacity isn't a sacrifice for us. I have done hundreds of thousands of miles on motorcycles, and Aptera will be at least as safe as our current Honda if we were to get in a wreck. At a 50 kW DC charger we will gain range at up to 500 miles per hour, so I don't think we will lose much there. I realize that we fit in a niche market, but everyone, including Aptera themselves, is realizing that it is a larger niche than they thought. Telsas are pretty great too, and meet needs that Our Aptera won't. Having ridden in a prototype, we find Aptera a lot more fun than all but something like a Plaid. That said, Merry Christmas, and thanks for coming here to discuss!
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  259. Not really, since so little material is actually used compared to most vehicles on the road.
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  260. Jim, all you have to do is look at Aptera's last video. The solar panels and 40 kWh battery packs are both now in limited production in their own factory spaces. They are still on track for having an alpha production vehicle by the end of the year, produced with production tooling. Compare their start with Tesla's 6 years to produce their first Lotus Elise EV conversion, or even the 2019 start of the Cybertruck project - about the same time Aptera restarted with the present design. You need to look at the actual evidence instead of your constant spin.
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  261. Yes, Sandy has an investment position in Aptera and is also a consultant to them. He designed the production floor..
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  262.  @grahamleadbeatter5981  The parts have already been designed.
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  263.  @grahamleadbeatter5981  Welcome to the family! I understand!
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  264. Everyone is missing release dates, including Tesla and the Big Three. Covid related issues are affecting everyone. Aptera has already shown completed beta vehicles and are in parts validation testing. If they don't run into major roadblocks with the supply chain or beta test results, I still expect to receive my Paradigm edition this year. Just like any new vehicle there will be improvements in later ones, but with right to repair, and a simple design with a 10th of the number of parts of standard construction, updates will be relatively easy.
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  265. I don't know about your last sentence , but the rest is correct.
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  266. I don't think any of your "reasons" are correct. Crash worthiness will be tested to FMVSS standards, and we will all get the ratings to compare. The reason # 2 is wrong is that the tire contact patches have to support less weight. In fact the ABS/traction control is more precise than what Tesla has achieved so far. Aptera has parking assist sensors. I doubt that they will have more issues than the Plymouth Prowler did - which was essentially none.
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  267.  @aussieideasman8498  Aptera did not "fold" it was liquidated and paid off all of the pre-orders, vendor debts and even paid several months severance to the employees. The CEO responsible was able to kick the founders off the board in 2009 with the help of Google and other large investors, but unable to raise funds for his vision when he decided not to build the car he was hired for.
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  268. BC, many of your statements are wrong. I can say from experience because I have ridden in an Aptera prototype and have hundreds of thousands of miles of motorcycle miles under my belt as well. I suggest that you audition one when you have a chance.
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  269. Myron, I live in Iowa and if you follow the news, you know about our weather. If you know about Aptera, you know that it has an ABS/Traction control system that can sense wheel slip and adjust torque 32 times per wheel revolution, or about every 2.5". It is very likely to be better than my present car a two place Honda, (which I have already been out in today). Aptera is spec'd to operate down to -20F and will likely do fine even in colder weather. Many of the sub systems are tested down to -40.
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  270.  @timothykeith1367  Merry Christmas to you! Yes, I agree. I owned a Kelmark GT copy of a Dino Ferrari that was on a VW chassis. It was fun, but about as smooth a ride as the Aptera alpha prototype we rode in and not as fast. We now drive an 1800 Gen 1 Honda Insight. I was rear ended in my first one by a SUV driver on the Interstate who fell asleep. The car was totaled, but I was uninjured. I think Aptera will be even safer, and will exceed the Honda's performance in every category. I have hundreds of thousands of miles on motorcycles, and you are correct about defensive driving. I have to admit that I am not as sharp as I once was.
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  271. 7 ft in the back. Enough to sleep a couple on camping trips and more than 25 cu ft of cargo space. Something we will use. The wheels outside and only three are essential to the low Cd and rolling resistance. Not a fashion statement.
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