Rear Hatch view and info

[fanfare-100]

For those special occasions one could install an hard “topper” which would become an easy fix for installing a rear-facing 3rd seat for if you were in a pinch having to transport 3 passengers (including the driver). It’d not be the most efficient, but given the ample range, it could get one out of a pinch.

[Lee-Jay]

My son had the idea that the cargo area would be way more useful if the rear hatch could be easily removed. It occurred to me that this would make the car a lot like the old El Camino. He thought of this when we were bringing home a new 30 inch induction range on his tandem trike (tadpole – two wheels in front like an Aptera). It would be kind of embarrassing if a 120 pound e-trike could carry something that the Aptera couldn’t, but the trike did the job just fine with the range in the box on the rear seat. The Aptera could do it easily if the hatch were removable for such situations.

[ROMAD]

Removing the rear hatch means you will also lose:

1. The rear view camera (NOT the Backing Up camera).

2. The CHMSL.

3. And IF you have it, the hatch solar panel.

[Lee-Jay]

I know, but this is for short trips carrying big stuff, like people driving around with the rear hatch of their vehicle open and kept in place with twine or rope, and possibly a red flag tied on stuff sticking out over 3 feet.

[ROMAD]

Then there isn’t a problem because with Aptera’s DIY & R2R policies, you’ll have the info you need to remove the hatch. It’ll probably be something like this:

Step 1. Make sure you have an assistant as this is a two-person job.

Step 2. Open hatch.

Step 3. Disconnect the Rear camera cable(s) and the CHMSL cable.

Step 4. Unbolt hatch hinge bolts.

Step 5. Carefully move hatch to a safe storage area where it won’t fall or have anything fall on it.

Reverse the steps to re-install the hatch, torquing the hatch bolts to xx foot-pounds (xx newton-meters).

BTW, I was always told that anything protruding more than 1 foot past the bumper had to have a red flag attached to the end.

• This reply was modified 8 months, 1 week ago by  Dennis Swaney. Reason: Add red flag requirements
• This reply was modified 8 months, 1 week ago by  Gabriel Kemeny.

[Lee-Jay]

That sounds good if there are no “gotchas” such as difficult to remove c-clips, heat-shrunk connectors, crimped pin hinge retainers, etc.

[Jeff]

Sorry to be a party pooper, but I don’t think it will be possible for Aptera to make the hatch “easily removeable” without massively over-engineering it.

With all of the part and assembly dimensional tolerance stack-ups at play, getting something as large Aptera’s hatch installed and adjusted just right to close and seal well/reliably will be no easy feat even without it being removable. Designing it to be easily removable would make that challenge much more daunting and likely add cost, complexity, and weight.

And that’s not even factoring in the safety/regulatory reasons that I’m guessing would prevent them from making a part that contains critical safety components (like the rear camera and, IIRC, brake light) removable.

Ain’t gonna happen.

[ROMAD]

It only takes disconnecting one connector and removing two screws to remove the CHMSL on my car. Oh and opening the trunk to access the connector.

• This reply was modified 8 months, 1 week ago by  Dennis Swaney. Reason: Added a third step
• This reply was modified 8 months, 1 week ago by  Gabriel Kemeny.

[Lee-Jay]

Well, the alternative when you need to move something large is to drive around with the hatch wide open. Is that better? Seems worse to me, and it still restricts center brake light visibility.

You don’t need a rear-center mirror (or camera/screen) as they are useless on many vehicles anyway when towing, you just need side mirrors.

[joe-schonbok]

I know it isn’t the intent of the Aptera to carry lumber and such – but nevertheless was wondering if a hobbyist could occasionally haul a few 2x4s or something. Like leaving the rear hatch open while driving or angling the sticks into the passenger seat? Based on the dimensions I’ve seen, a full 4×8 sheet of plywood is probably out of the question but you never know!

• This reply was modified 5 months, 2 weeks ago by  Joe Schonbok.
• This reply was modified 5 months, 2 weeks ago by  Gabriel Kemeny.

[Dr.D]

Soon after the start of the pandemic, various stores began to offer curbside pickup. Stop in front of the store and text or email that you are out front. When the worker with the goods comes out, you pop the trunk, they put the goods in the trunk and close the trunk and you drive off. Will we be able to pop the trunk from inside the Aptera?

[ROMAD]

If the icon I saw on the center display makes it to the final product, then the answer is probably yes.

• This reply was modified 5 months, 1 week ago by  Dennis Swaney. Reason: Added screenshot with icon circled
• This reply was modified 5 months, 1 week ago by  Gabriel Kemeny.

[Biker]

Rendering of the inside of the hatch from the latest AOC video:

[robert-wakeman]

I can only hope that everyone that would like a rear window let’s them know. Open air sporty or cargo van. I’ll park it pointing south.

[Biker]

Posted on the socials:

The inner world of Aptera’s production parts

[ROMAD]

Just needs a little carpeting headliner.

[Greek]

Maybe to limit the look of the abbess, a lighter colored coat of flat paint to cover the scallops. It doesn’t need to be a professional exterior paint job, just something that could be brushed on. Flat paint won’t have any reflective properties and it should brighten up the storage area. I will have to see after delivery if it even needs to be done. People need to remember though, when they look in the rear view mirror, they will only see what’s behind the vehicle and not behind the cabin.

• This reply was modified 3 weeks, 5 days ago by  John Voules.

[Sam]

I thought the rear view camera could be turned on and off at will.

[len]

I guess once the PI revealed… we will really know what be have. I personally would not add a cover that would add weight or possible rattle. But I could image people adding simple artwork of an open theme “if that” if their wish. 🤔Our Alternative fuel vehicle license plate ( here ) is all about Clean Air – “ Blue Skies”. I have an artist friend that we have commissioned wall art. I am sure she doesn’t have hatch ceiling art in her gallery of pictures! She painted a corridor of our home like the cave of Lascaux, France.

But…Leaving vehicle “original” maintains its value!

• This reply was modified 3 weeks, 5 days ago by  Len Nowak.

[ROMAD]

Len, that won’t work on an Aptera. The Alternative Fuel MC plate only has room for 5 characters. I’d suggest “APTRA”.

[len]

I know. It is just for illustration purpose. I have been using for years

I am not a vanity plate person anyhow😉

[Sam]

“vanity”?

Environmental/ special interest plates are a great way to support a cause you care about.

When you order special interest license plates, a portion of your fees are donated to the associated charity or cause, making them a good way to support something you care about while spreading the message to other drivers on the road.

[len]

Yes like “ mine”. Or corny words..

We had “Specialty” plates “Animal Friendly” plates, (̂ ˃̥̥̥ ˑ̫ ˂̥̥̥ )̂ for decades where you could choose / support that cause.

[robert-wakeman]

Thank you for the photo. I think it shows exactly why I want a glass window .

[Sam]

Just be sure to select the solar panels that don’t include the hatch BEFORE you save your configuration. I’m pretty sure that solar blanket you want will be available via 3rd party if not OEM.

[robert-wakeman]

Forgive me for going on and on.let me explain. When I saw that one could lay down comfortably in the back l was sold. The ability to take my bedroom with me when I travel is awesome. And that space would be far more inviting with a window than with out. For privacy I’ll put up a curtain. And as far as solar goes I go to town twice a week 14ml round trip I just don’t need the back Panel. But I do need the view and light the window will give.

[robert-wakeman]

I love the solar but I love the rear window. Dream of lying in the back looking at the stairs though that beautiful hatch. As well as the light airy feel it gives the car. And why would anyone want it with out solar and no rear window. That would be stupid! Am I the only one that has a problem with that

[ray-holan]

I’m leaning toward the full solar, but it would be a welcome option to have the choice of rear hatch window. This option (i.e. no solar cells for rear hatchback) is still listed on my Aptera order.

The downside of a rear window instead of solar cells is the solar heat gain (if rear hatchback glass is installed) that one would experience when the Aptera is parked out in the sun plus the loss of the extra charging power resulting from the absence of extra solar cells. As you may recall, the solar hatch was originally — and still is — listed as an option, meaning Aptera would have to install something in the hatch area for that configuration. That “something” would presumably be glass but perhaps not. The crisscross patterned panel shown in many recent videos is an interior surface. Whatever Aptera installs in examples without rear hatch solar cells would, no doubt, be a smooth exterior surface of some kind for aerodynamics.

[ROMAD]

You DO have a choice: just don’t order an LE and don’t select the $600 solar hatch option.

[robert-wakeman]

No that wouldn’t do it. It just tells them no solar

[ROMAD]

You are obviously a recent arrival. When I placed my order over 2 years ago, the BASE model only has solar on the roof and dash. The standard hatch has a LARGE clear window. However for $600 MORE, you could replace the clear hatch with one that was covered with solar panels. en Aptera saw that most reservations contained either the solar hatch, AWD, 400 mile battery pack most/all of the above, they created the LAUNCH EDITION which consisted of: 400 mile battery pack, FULL solar with hatch and nose panels, AWD and the enhanced audio option(this option was later made standard at no cost). I switched my reservation to the LE immediately. Remember the PI vehicles that are coming are LAUNCH EDITION Production Intent vehicles. Non-solar hatch standard vehicles are further down the road.

[robert-wakeman]

I would like to point out that when you order no rear solar you saw a window now you don’t this they changed until they said deferent I believe that they are thinking of not offering a glass window hatch I have asked them no word yet. I believe everyone that ordered no rear solar wants a window hatch any one that would like a rear window better tell them or we may not see one for some time if at all!

• This reply was modified 2 weeks, 2 days ago by  Robert Wakeman.
• This reply was modified 2 weeks, 2 days ago by  Robert Wakeman.

[Sam]

If there’s no solar on the hatch, I’d expect glass to take it’s place. I mean, c’mon, it’s a rear window.