Ok... gas $4,5,6,7 per gallon...

[Fred W]

I'm joking. I told my friends at Bonneville Power that Fred said their dams are imaginary.
Phil

No. It's not that they are imaginary. They are just not significant in the grand scheme of electric power generation. At least at this time, the vast majority of electricity is generated by burning fossil fuels. I think we all look forward to the day when it is otherwise. That will be the day when electrically powered vehicles will make more sense.

Reference

 

[k7lvo]

The problem is not oil. (For example, Brazil announced the discovery a few days ago of a giant supply off their coast. Did gas prices go down???) The problem is greedy people. We must have energy and, guess what? The same greedy people who control gasoline (prices) will almost certainly control whatever other form of energy we move to.

 

[SR-71]

A few comments...

"I wonder what would happen to that car if I hit it head-on with my truck whilst pulling a 4-horse trailer....."

According to Aptera they've done some simulated crash tests, engineered in several safety features (crush zones, etc), and claim the vehicle will fare well in a crash. But given the mass of a truck and loaded 4-horse trailer - odds are most vehicles (and passengers) wouldn't survive that senario!

"The advantages of an electric vehicle are curiously limited by the cost of said electricity. What makes anyone think that electricity is cheap (it is actually inherently inefficient) or will remain so?"

According to Aptera's website the initial production will be an electric model, followed shortly after by a hybrid model. Aptera is claiming it will cost approximately 1 penny per mile to operate the electric model. For comparison sake. Speaking of purely of fuel costs, my Toyota Prius costs about 7 cents per mile to operate. Of course if you keep an electric or hybrid vehicle long enough - the cost of battery replacement rears its ugly head. :angry: Then again, Toyota claims their hybrid batteries should last about 150,000 miles, and their claim is probably fairly correct. I have 107,000 on my Prius and the batteries seem to be holding up fine, so I guess one could figure replacement of a hybrid battery pack would be similar [in cost] to the replacement or rebuilding of a gas engine.

Electricity, like nearly every other resource will probably go up in cost too but the beauty of electricity is, some individuals will have the ability to create their own reusable power source via solar and/or wind power. (Of course with the resultant cost versus time-line trade-off.)

"I have production slot 1848 - AP-1h series hybrid. Should be interesting.

Wahoo! I am definitely "green" with envy! Once you get some miles on it, I would appreciate it if you could keep me posted how you like it. As soon as Aptera opens up sales to Virginia, I'll have mine on order!

SR-71

 

[kaitsdad]

"I have production slot 1848 - AP-1h series hybrid. Should be interesting.
Wahoo! I am definitely "green" with envy! Once you get some miles on it, I would appreciate it if you could keep me posted how you like it. As soon as Aptera opens up sales to Virginia, I'll have mine on order!

SR-71

There's already an Aptera forum - Clicky which I find to be a good source of information. Having ordered a series hybrid and waiting for last month to place that order, I'll be surprised if my car is built before Sept/Oct 2009. And who knows what price fuel will be then.

Why do I keep buying stuff with a waiting period? You'd think I'd learn.....

 

[SR-71]

kaitsdad - CNN is reporting today that most Americans are expecting to see $5 per gallon this year. If things keep up the way they have been going it wouldn't surprise me to see $6 (or perhaps more) by the time your car arrives in 2009. If that's the case, your price may seem like a bargain in comparison; especially if nothing comes along that can compete with it (mileage, styling, technology, etc).

And let's face it, that's one unique looking car. Who's going to compete with that?! I think Aptera has a potential gold mine on their hands.

Thanks for the link!

SR-71

 

[Fred W]

I don't see those frail little things being real good on the corrugated dirt roads of New England. And what do you do when snow hits the ground? Stay home?

Next!

 

[Kevin Daly]

I wonder what would happen to that car if I hit it head-on with my truck whilst pulling a 4-horse trailer..... :blink:

Probably less then what would happen if your FJR hit head-on with your truck wilst pulling a 4-horse trailer...... :blink: :blink:

 

[RadioHowie]

I wonder what would happen to that car if I hit it head-on with my truck whilst pulling a 4-horse trailer..... :blink:

Probably less then what would happen if your FJR hit head-on with your truck wilst pulling a 4-horse trailer...... :blink: :blink:

Or that truck and horse trailer smacked head-on into a Peterbilt 389 hauling a load of pig iron.

That kind of "what if" is what gets shovelled out of that trailer.

 

[SR-71]

I don't see those frail little things being real good on the corrugated dirt roads of New England. And what do you do when snow hits the ground? Stay home?

Next!

Snow? Like the FJR, if it's snowing I think most of us would opt to drive something a bit more suitable for the weather conditions. And not sure about the rest of you, but I typically try and steer clear of riding corrugated dirt roads, but it definitely sounds like there's some conditions up in parts of NH that are better suited for a Monster Truck or a dirt bike!

The Aptera isn't the total answer for everyone; then again what vehicle is? But it may be the answer for some.

 

[Fred W]

I don't see those frail little things being real good on the corrugated dirt roads of New England. And what do you do when snow hits the ground? Stay home?

Next!

Snow? Like the FJR, if it's snowing I think most of us would opt to drive something a bit more suitable for the weather conditions. And not sure about the rest of you, but I typically try and steer clear of riding corrugated dirt roads, but it definitely sounds like there's some conditions up in parts of NH that are better suited for a Monster Truck or a dirt bike!

The Aptera isn't the total answer for everyone; then again what vehicle is? But it may be the answer for some.

The point is, this isn't supposed to replace a bike as a mode of transportation. At least lets hope not because who the heck would do that. It's supposed to be an alternative to owning a car, at least that was my take on it.

 

[SR-71]

"The point is, this isn't supposed to replace a bike as a mode of transportation. At least lets hope not because who the heck would do that. It's supposed to be an alternative to owning a car, at least that was my take on it."

Point well taken Fred. The Aptera will never compete with the FJR, or any motorcycle for that matter. They're two totally different animals. Besides, I seriously doubt the designer of the Aptera wanted to compete with motorcycles, but rather make a super efficient commuter vehicle.

If what Aptera is claiming is really true (300 mpg), it sure would be nice to be able to roll along at the cost of about one penny a mile and laugh at the oil companies. Wouldn't it?!

 

[Cal City FJR]

Well the first picture of it I thought it looked like a very easy ultra light.

They only mention the mileage wonder what the performance specs on it are?

I was prepared to hate it from just reading it alone but after looking at the pictures of it I am intrigued by it, it's for sure different.

I like the mentioning of the diesel engine. Great thing when it's $4.50 a gallon plus here in the peoples republic of Kalifornia....

OOPS found the speed specs after further reading. Production model did better than 85 mph and zero to sixty of under 10 seconds. Not a speed burner by any stretch. Needs a lot of work there!!!

 

[Fred W]

OOPS found the speed specs after further reading. Production model did better than 85 mph and zero to sixty of under 10 seconds. Not a speed burner by any stretch. Needs a lot of work there!!!

Looking into the future, when gasoline (or whatever substitute) reaches $10 - $15 per gallon (or the equivalent) people won't care about performance specs of their transportation quite as much. But on the bright side, there should be fewer vehicles on the road.

 

[kaitsdad]

Well, everyone, it's happening -

The pre-production Aptera 2e (all electric) rolled off the production line today -

 

[RadioHowie]

Well, everyone, it's happening -
The pre-production Aptera 2e (all electric) rolled off the production line today -

Curse you for resurrecting an 8 month old thread, but

 

[CRMH Eagle]

"At this time we are not able to post hard numbers on performance, but vehicle performance will provide confident driving and acceleration in all typical driving conditions. We do not yet have complete data on the Hybrid."

I would wait awhile before you drink any more kool-aid on this...

 

[08FJR4ME]

Well, everyone, it's happening -
The pre-production Aptera 2e (all electric) rolled off the production line today -

Well if someone can photo shop this and put a FJR logo on the front you may have something. GENIII?

 

[Tenchi]

Aww, you guys know I do this just for kicks.

 

[BikerGeek99]

There was just an article in one of the car rags about this. IIRC, the founder / C-something-O / head dude of Aptera was standing on one of the body shells whacking it with a sledge hammer. The author took a few swings and the sledge bounced off the body shell and almost hit 'im in the head.

 

[radman]

The only Eco-Chik interior I'll ever tolerate will be installed in my coffin :glare: