Strong winds on bridges

[Steven Dempster]

Hello, when a colleague heard that I pre-ordered an Aptera their first thought was, we have a huge bridge near us, 4630 feet long, 30 metres up, and I have to cross this bridge 6 times a week for work. The bridge often sees accidents, about every 3 weeks or so, due to trucks getting pushed over by the wind. He suggested that the tail of the Aptera would catch the wind and front-heavy design would see it overturn forwards. Are Aptera taking unusual driving conditions like these into account in their testing?

[Len Nowak Nowak]

Hi

This has been asked a few times in the forum and Aptera has answered within these answers below. You may find many more answers! Or just search “FAQ” for old answers.

As you know Aptera, depending on battery pack should be 1800 to 2200 lbs

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• This reply was modified 3 months ago by  bbelcamino.

Aptera

[Steven Dempster]

Neither the words ‘bridge’ nor ‘bridges’ brings up any matches in the forum. The words ‘bridge’ or ‘bridges’ bring up no matches in the FAQ. My question hasn’t been addressed.

[Joshua Rosen]

They’ve talked about the effect for cross winds which is what you are worried about. They think that it will behave very well in cross winds because it’s so aerodynamic.

[Kimberly Wilson]

Conceivably a tailwind strong enough, faster than your driving speed, could provide some lift. Avoid tornadoes and hurricanes. (-:

• This reply was modified 4 months ago by  Kimberly Wilson.

[Vernon Michael Gardner]

Kimberly, funny :^).

The question about high winds is a good one. As to cross winds, there is a extremely low cross deflection area of the Aptera Roadster. Even with the vehicle al light as it is, there is more blow around on CUVs, SUVs, Tall Cars, Vans, Trucks etc. because of the very low cross section resistance to wind on the Aptera Roadster.

• This reply was modified 4 months ago by  Vernon Michael Gardner.

[Paul Schultz]

Mackinac Bridge in Michigan would be an excellent test. If Aptera wants to send me a vehicle I’d be glad to perform the testing! 🙂

[kerbe2705]

Due to the placement of the battery pack – the heaviest part of the vehicle – Aptera will have a very low center of gravity and an almost perfect weight distribution: It won’t be “nose heavy”.

[Steven Dempster]

Thanks for helpful responses. To clarify, I know crosswinds have been discussed before, and I don’t have any doubts that the car can survive very strong crosswinds, it is tailwinds that I’m a little worried about. Wanted to raise it, to make sure it gets tested.

[Kayleigh Venne]

Hi Steven,

Thank you for this question! I look forward to getting you a more in-depth answer from our Engineers. For now, I can let you know: Our advanced aerodynamic shape and the vehicle’s ability to slip through the air have some real benefits! You barely feel semi trucks as you just slip through their turbulence; the vehicle does not generate lift at speed. For people concerned about stability at high speeds; Downforce on the rear of the vehicle is about 25 pounds at 65MPH.

[Kimberly Wilson]

I figure that 25 down force is on top of the actual weight of the vehicle on the rear wheel.

[Patrick Liebknecht]

Do motorcycles cross said bridge without issue ?

I can’t imagine a motorcycle with a windscreen would fair any worse than an aptera