Aptera Passenger and Cargo Capacity

[Phil]

This is from the FAQ page of Aptera’s website….

Aptera is designed to carry a 500 lbs payload of passengers and cargo, or a max of 300lbs in the rear cargo (if you only have the driver).

[Lee-Jay]

Okay, so me plus a 230 pound range would have worked if I could remove the rear hatch.

500 pounds of cargo capacity for an 1,800 pound vehicle is pretty pathetic. My son’s bike weighs 120 pounds and can carry a little more than three times its weight in cargo and people (500 pounds total weight). I would have expected a cargo capacity of at least 900 pounds.

[Mike-Mars]

ChrisA was asked recently about it, and the figure is still the same.

It’s actually a fairly typical figure for 2-seaters, neither particularly high nor low when compared.

It’s usually OK to exceed the limit for occasional single trips – just take it easy and don’t stress the suspension by driving fast over speedbumps etc, and make sure the tyres are properly inflated (maybe go 1.25 over normal, keeping it under the max). I’ve gone 2x over in vehicles before without any damage being caused.

• This reply was modified 9 months ago by  Michael Marsden.
• This reply was modified 9 months ago by  Michael Marsden.
• This reply was modified 9 months ago by  Gabriel Kemeny.

[Lee-Jay]

Are these common and ridiculously low cargo numbers done for compliance reasons, warranty reasons or something else? Two average adults in the US weigh 360-370 pounds, and on a road trip would likely carry well over 140 pounds of luggage and materials. I’m fortunate that my family is substantially smaller than average, but not even being able to carry two average people and their stuff seems quite silly – so silly that I can’t imagine it’s for anything other than legal reasons.

[paul-kirchner]

AOC had a good video on both of these subjects. Carry capacity and why we (well, not me, I still weigh what I did in high school) are getting bigger.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiPGiQERQGchttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiPGiQERQGc

• This reply was modified 9 months ago by  Gabriel Kemeny.
• This reply was modified 9 months ago by  Paul Kirchner.

[ferdie-mazon]

Will my sons drum kit fit in the back of the Aptera? He has a 20″ kick drum.

[kerbe2705]

Directly behind the seats, yes. As I recall the height from the cargo deck to the ceiling is 23″. The cargo bay then tapers down to, I believe, about 11″ at the tail.

[ferdie-mazon]

It’s 20 x 23″ actually, so might be a tight fit, based on the taper.

[curtis-cibinel]

Assuming your not traveling with a passenger definitely. If you are then the clearance near the seats is relevant and is likely fairly similar to a typical car with the seats folded.

[ferdie-mazon]

My son is a college student and drummer up in Pomona. He lives in an apartment and can only Supercharge, so a solar car would be ideal. However, he would need to carry around his drum set. I’d like to see if this can fit.

[Tom]

Not an exact answer, but should give you an idea (see 0:12 in particular). (Looks like it would be a tight fit for all your son’s stuff.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3jVDqiLYOs

[ROMAD]

Be aware that video is of the Alpha vehicle. You need to see what the PI vehicle holds. Supposedly the PI has slightly larger space.

[ferdie-mazon]

Saw that. Not really conclusive enough. I’m here locally and can swing by.

[JRWiley]

When and if you are able to attempt to fit all of the gear into the trunk, please share the results.

[ferdie-mazon]

I guess unless you’re an influencer, you can’t get access to the car. I’ll have to wait until after its out before I can measure.

[glenn-zajic]

Undoubtedly if he is alone. Probably if he is not. Over 32 cubic feet not counting the passenger seat.