Aptera Passenger and Cargo Capacity

[cooperep1gmail-com]

Is it possible to get dimensioning for the driver side or even a tool/graphic on the website that shows this)? For example:

– Seat to roof (min/max and range of angular adjustment) (assuming seat back angle is able to be adjusted)

– Seat back to pedals (min and max)

– Seat back to steering wheel (min and max)

I am a tall individual (6’3″ with most of my height in my torso), and I am concerned about how I would fit.

[john-malcom]

Check out this video by Steve Fambro as he reviews the Sol Alpha prototype. He discusses what changes will be made in the Beta prototype to accommodate tall drivers. The Beta is designed to accommodate drivers up to 6’5″.

The dimensions you are inquiring about will be available when the Beta prototypes are complete.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDMqEmUGxX4

[RGJ]

When they say up to 6’5″ I am hesitant. Being 6’5″ I would love to drive this car on longer trips, having the ceiling more than an inch above my head is nice though.

[kerbe2705]

Any measurements you’d receive now will be irrelevant when the beta prototypes are built.

[peter-jorgensen]

It’s like the first gen Honda Insight which had a tiny payload capacity too. I wouldn’t worry about it too much. It’ll feel heavy but that’s probably about it. If you take it over some massive bumps you might hit the suspension stops. If you do this all the time I would see if there’s a battery option that weighs less but has the same suspension – since there’s a 750 lb difference between the smallest battery and the largest for Aptera.

[joshua-rosen]

Wait until they release the real numbers before you start to worry. The suspension system has just been redesigned. They are still planning on having a 100KWh(usable) battery option, that has to be 600-800lbs heavier than the 40KWh(usable) battery, the suspension has to be able to handle that.

I can’t believe that they would build a car that was for ballerinas only, it has to be able to handle two decent sized men and luggage.

[curtis-cibinel]

Hypothetically if you are heavier (ie 300lb) and will constantly be at or around the overall vehicle weight limit (500lb for cargo/passengers) it should be possible to swap in the heavier suspension from the next weight/battery tier up (ie suspension springs for a 60 kwh battery in a 40 kwh Aptera). The battery is likely about 10lb per kwh so the math is relatively simple.

You would still lose range due to mass but by stiffening the suspension it would avoid bottoming to quickly. Obviously its best to stay under the 500lb limit but functionally they probably tune and test with the idea of a single 150-180 lb driver. Liability in accidents with an overloaded vehicle could also be a concern.

[Ronnie]

I’m 6’5″ (36/37″ inseam, ~240lbs).

I’m “taking Steve at his word” that we will fit comfortably whether it be headroom or legroom and as such, both carefully & adequately considered from design through to final execution ????.

[michael-solorio]

I found that it was noted already that the distance from the back edge to the seats is seven feet. This being the case, what size surfboard do you think could fit in the Aptera with the passenger seat forward and the trunk closed?

[Biker]

That seven-foot distance might be with the seat somewhat forward – if you plan to have someone sit in the passenger seat, I wouldn’t count on fitting anything much longer than about 6+ feet. You might gain a bit more if you put it in at an angle – none of this can be confirmed until someone tries it in a production vehicle.

[lawrence-moore]

It would be really nice to get an 8 foot surfboard in as that is kind of a standard size—maybe with front seat laying back (works in my volt)?

[john-malcom]

Eddy,

I don’t know if you are a CA or FL surfer, or somewhere else. My eldest daughter is an avid surfer in FL. She intends to buy an Aptera as she is very environmentally conscious. She says her surfboard will not fit. Her plan is to remove the passenger seat which she claims she will not use and it will fit with plenty of room to spare.

Of course you can always saw off what doesn’t fit😉

[jesse-palmer]

This has been the one thing I have been wondering as well. What I’d love to see is a short video of them trying to fit a surfboard, or better yet, several surfboards, a bike, and any other types of adventure gear in the back. I am fairly confident it will fit a few shortboards, around 6 ft. I would be delighted if I could also fit a longboard in there, around 9ft, by putting the front seat flat or folding it forward. Currently, I can fit a 9′ longboard in my Honda fit by laying the passenger seat flat and going up to the windshield.

[Scott]

Hi Jesse, a video that showed easily putting a bike in the back of an Aptera can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0mJRSNOeTs.

[Lou]

While I don’t have a surfboard of any length, I too would hope that the Aptera passenger seat can be folded down flat to allow for transporting items longer than the 6’ bed.

[matthew-behnke]

I have been able to find ZERO information on this topic. I am 6’5 adult that has a pre-order in. I really would like to know if I can fit into the vehicle. From my back to my knee measures 26 inches and from my butt to my head measures ~36 inches. Please let me know if I have a chance. I watch all the ride-along videos out there but nobody tells us their height and it’s really non-inclusive.

[KayleighVenne]

Hi Matthew! Yes, you’ll be able to fit in the vehicle. We have had basketball players well over 6ft take a ride in the Aptera— and they have no problem fitting comfortably! The Aptera was designed to fit someone that is 6’8 comfortably; however, someone taller may fit if they have a shorter torso. Our solar mobility is for everyone, so we’re designing Aptera to be very inclusive! Please let us know if you have any questions. Looking forward to sharing the final measurements with you as the specs are finalized. It’s exciting to share the road to launch with you! We are here to guide all Aptera members every step of the way.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 7 months ago by  Kayleigh Venne.

[matthew-behnke]

Thank you so much for the reply. It honestly made my day because I’ve been fantasizing about driving the Aptera and know my heart will be crushed if I can’t fit into one. I’m a walking advertisement for this company. I know you guys are committed to making something great.

Thank you

-Matt

[michael-solorio]

I just got to see the Noir alpha prototype in-person today at the Earth Fair here in San Diego. I’ll first say it is even more beautiful and striking in-person and really looking forward to seeing the production models.

I didn’t bring my measuring tape, however, I would say with the passenger seat folded down you could get an 8′ surfboard in there easily. Of course, the production vehicle may be completely different, yes we know this. However, Chris Anthony did mention in a video posted this month that it could fit a 7’6 surfboard and from my experience today I’m assuming he meant while carrying another passenger with the seat slid forward. He also mentioned you can fit 2 mountain bikes and even a canoe.

[danny-mattijetz]

I saw it there today also. Remember, it will be four additional inches deeper and either four or six inches longer. Even though I remember seeing this video, it looked awfully shallow near the back. It was clearly a close fit for that bicycle, but the extra inches should make a big difference.

[curtis-cibinel]

The bike video was with the alpha (before changes). I think Steve from Aptera owners club claimed we have like 7 feet behind the seats. The weight at the far back will be shallow but definitely enough for a board or your head camping (if you’re not claustrophobic)

[Kirt]

Similar question, How about a 9ft fly rod? Can I drive/fish the river without breaking down my fly rod?

[danny-mattijetz]

Assuming Curtis is correct about seven feet behind the seats, you should be able to fold the passenger seat forward to fit a nine foot rod in there without any trouble. If you had a passenger with you, you could probably put the rods between the seats even with the passenger seat up.

[ian-comings]

I am 6’5″ ~290lbs. Will I fit in an Aptera? Or should I look elsewhere?

[kerbe2705]

@ian-comings Watch the most recent webinar video (it’s on the Aptera YouTube channel) to hear the vehicle’s designer talk about the interior: He makes a point of saying it’s not a “roomy” vehicle.

That said, they’re designing it for a 6’8″ tall person – but not for a very WIDE person.

We’ve also been told that the total payload (driver, passenger and cargo) that the vehicle can carry is 500 lbs.

We won’t know anything for certain, though, until they build and test a production-ready prototype.

[len]

Before the suspension enhancement I had

500 # payload where “ for best ride” not more than 200# in the cargo area

So “at this development stage” that’s what I am planning on

And trying to keep a few more pounds off

Between my wife and this Aptera… I might be a healthier guy😉

[curtis-cibinel]

Placing any heavy cargo (that fits) behind the seats would be ideal for weight distribution. I’m hoping they include plenty of tie points on the floor and sides of the cargo area so I can keep things from sliding around. This is why I often place cargo in the back seat rather than the back of my current car (also I seatbelt in 5 gallon jugs)

[konijntje]

From the past, i have readed 500lb. I am also interested in the possible third chair option aptera wants to give.

But if i calculate 3 persons in the aptera, then you literary have no space left for pretty much any cargo.

Is it still 500lb now we arrived at the gamma?

How much weight can we go over it, with what consequences?

[Greek]

Many people will have ideas of what might happen…all would be conjecture at this point. All or most of APTERA’s resources and time will be 1st to get the vehicle into production.

Also you must consider for many people who have placed their order that they will likely delay their purchase for a 3 passenger version. So don’t expect any info anytime soon. I wouldn’t wait to make my purchase until they come out with a 3 seater and miss my place inline and a delivery delay. Based on the size of the APTERA itself, I can’t imagine a seat that would accommodate most adults unless the exterior body is also expanded over the occupants head…..My thoughts….NOTHING BUT CONJECTURE

[charles-preston-townsend]

I’ve read the discussion about cargo and seen the videos of going to Costco and fitting a road bike into the back, etc. and my question remains: how difficult is it to remove the rear door? I imagine using the cargo kinda like a truck bed with two mountain bikes draped over the tailgate. Anyone tried removing the back door to turn it into a truck? (yes, I know it isn’t a truck with only 500# weight limit).

[Biker]

@Charles Preston-Townsend perhaps it’s not obvious, but the production model doesn’t and won’t exist in real life for another year probably – someone will eventually try removing the rear hatch to turn the Aptera into a truck but that is a long time from now.

[charles-preston-townsend]

Thank you, I am aware that they are not yet available. I just figured that with all the photoshopping and marketing that someone might have explored the possibility of opening up the back as a truck bed

[Biker]

@Charles Preston-Townsend in the virtual world just about anything is possible – not so much in the real world. You can perhaps ask @Peter Jorgensen to design something for you in this thread:

Aptera Fan Graphics and Design | Aptera Discussions | Aptera

[eugene-lee]

I’m curious about the driver’s weight. Won’t the vehicle shift more to the left when driving solo? Uneven tire wear?

[joshua-rosen]

It’s only a few hundred pounds lighter than a Miata, there is no problem with imbalance in a Miata so why should there be a problem in the Aptera. Also the front wheels are much farther apart then any other light car so it should be even less of an issue.

[eugene-lee]

Last I checked a Miata has 4 wheels and this has 3. I would think the load would be felt on either side of the body.

[Greek]

The driver is essentially sitting in the middle of a triangle and should have minimal effect on balance and steering. Remember though that APTERA’s weight limit is 500lbs.

[Lee-Jay]

The induction range we put on my son’s trike weighed 230 pounds. Are you saying a car wheel can’t handle that but a bicycle wheel can?