Accesability to drive through locations

[ROMAD]

Well, most toll roads/bridges nowadays use license plate photos for backup charging. I don’t live where there are toll roads so when I drive in states that have them but are unmanned collection (like the Golden Gate Bridge in California), I go through the access booth and later receive a bill in the mail. I then just send them a check for payment. I’ll do the same with the Aptera.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 3 months ago by  Dennis Swaney. Reason: Added comma
• This reply was modified 1 year, 3 months ago by  Dennis Swaney. Reason: Corrected spelling

[Scott]

Hi Patrick, if there is sufficient lateral room for the door to arc open, your easiest option may be to just open the door.

The wheel pants do stick out some. However, the amount they stick out laterally is not necessarily more than side view mirrors on a pickup truck or such would stick out, and those owners readily use ATM and turnpike machines. You will also likely be able to reach low ATMs and turnpike machines through the current lower retractable window. However, the current low split window design will restrict your arm from easily reaching up to high points. The thick mid-window frame will likely be annoying since it will be right at or near eye level for many drivers and you will have to bob your head up & down around it to see around it and interact with an ATM. If you can open the door instead, then you will at least have a clear view and open arm reach access. Main downsides to opening the door are that it does extend out further laterally than the wheel pants (so requires more open air space to the side/above) and you might get a little rain inside (though the doors will also act like an umbrella since they will be above you).

[curtis-cibinel]

The Aptera windows are of questionable utility because of this. If you need to get to the drivethrough window you may need to park far enough away to open the door and step out briefly. Alternatively we need the Fing-longer (futurama reference).

Personally I would be love to lose the opening window entirely in favor of this reenforced double bubble concept by Peter Jorgensen.

[Scott]

Curtis, I completely agree with you. I would even be happier (as an easier first step improvement) to just get a single piece solid non-retractable full size upper window that does not have that field of view blocking mid-window frame through it (retractable full window would of course be preferred, but Aptera is not willing to reduce its aero numbers a bit to provide that). Peter’s bubble door concept would be even better as long as its middle reinforcement bar can still provide good side impact protection.

[glenn-zajic]

If I recall correctly, the reason they don’t have a fully retractable window was that it wouldn’t fit in the door. The shape and size preventing that. They could have made it retract from the top down but it would not totally retract. The aero hit was just where the seal was. It was determined that a lower point on the side would produce less turbulence than one at the roof line.

[Scott]

Glenn, you are correct. The current design is all within the assumption of the existing curved shell shape and door sizes plus optimizing aerodynamics. They also could have provided more space for a retractable window, though that would have resulted in a bit of a modification to the shell curvature. The shell shape and window location is optimized for aerodynamic efficiency and they want to keep that design criteria fully optimized even if it results in issues with the side windows. Over a year ago, a forum member (loswa) proposed some alternatives of varying desirability (examples below), though it is unknown if the Aptera team ever looked into these and other alternatives to get rid of that mid-window frame. Going with a solid, single piece, non-retractable window (or Peter’s bubble door concept) would actually be even better aerodynamics with no frame/seal turbulence at all, reduced parts, reduced cost, and reduced weight, but it would have the downside of no retractable window (ventilation would be through the interior vents).

[joshua-rosen]

Toll roads are a non-problem, just get an EZ-Pass. Drive thrus may be a problem, I always have to open my door when I go to the bank or to a junk food drive thru. I worry that the gull wing doors might be an issue but then again they might be easier, won’t know until I have the car.

[ROMAD]

That is a non-starter for two reasons: First there are those who DON”T live anywhere there are toll roads/crossings, second there are 36 states & territories that have toll roads/crossings, but only 15 of them use the EZ-Pass system. While some progress has been made to get the other 21 to use EZ-Pass, many of them just have small local toll facilities rather than state ones. Since my state doesn’t have any toll facilities I will just use their manned cash collection booths, or let them send me a bill via the license plate photo system.