Front license plate placement and impact on drag coefficient

[Nazhi Hamdan]

A slick, very efficient design! But where does the front license plate fit in? How will it inpact aerodynamics?

[Joshua Rosen]

How many states require a front plate for autocycles? The Aptera is technically not a car, it’s classified as a motorcycle or and autocycle so the rules are different. Motorcycle plates are smaller than car plates so it shouldn’t be hard to find a place for them in states where they are required.

BTW I looked up the requirement for my state, Mass. Cars require front and back plates, motorcycles only require a single plate.

[Curtis Cibinel]

Yep this is another good reason that they should stick to 3 wheel for future 4-5 seat vehicles. Staying away from the need for a front plate is huge for aerodynamics. I don’t think I’ve seen a front plate on a motorcycle in any country/state.

[Nazhi Hamdan]

Well, time will tell what mother Germany has to say about it being a motorcycle ????

[Paul Kirchner]

So strange, I came here right now to ask the same question.

[my_discord_number_is_0328 bloody stupid]

aptera front end can be transparent non reflective plastic or something so front lisence plate can sit in it (b/c front lisence plate is required legally in some places). It can be tinted to lower solar heat buildup. Anti condensation fan for headlights venting can be piped to this area to keep it visible from outside. It just need to not melt in heat. Maybe make inner workings apparent as aesthetic, owner wraps over it if he wants it only showing plate.

[Davis Edwards]

Definitely, a bridge to cross when we get to the 4-wheeled Aptera. The majority of states require front plates and this is something that I thought of first being addressed in the UK/Europe and I see already in the states with Tesla.

Stickers!

[Oz (It’s Oz, just Oz)]

Davis, The Aptera is considered a motorcycle in most states, and in a few an autocycle. Your map is for vehicles classified as automobiles. most, if not all, US states do not require a front plate for these. (Your mileage may vary, check your local state regulations for details.)

[Curtis Cibinel]

He said “when we get to the 4-wheeled Aptera“. A 4 wheeled aptera would not be an “autocycle”

[Oz (It’s Oz, just Oz)]

Curtis/Davis, You’re right, sorry, I missed that. I would think, when the 4 wheel version comes around, that since most states require a front plate, Aptera will incorporate that into it’s aerodynamics for that version.

[Davis Edwards]

Thanks, Curtis! I live in the South so the plate issue doesn’t matter to me, but I’ve heard that a 4-wheeled vehicle is a future goal for the company. Oz, you are correct about my map, sorry it can be confusing without reading the context.