NorthernSouler
Forum Replies Created
-
Pretty sure the premium entertainment system is standard on the launch edition.
As far as the rest, I guess it has to do with how quickly those other changes might roll out. I’d think that they’d be more likely to spend time on the various size battery packs before they address options, and that they’d get the options online before doing something like a redesign of the heating and cooling system.
-
I’ve seen some recent YouTube videos where Chris Anthony is referencing the originally listed pricing.
I suspect that the rise in lithium pricing and tightness of the supply chain had a lot to do with the price increase talk. Just as I suspect that the drop in lithium price, changes in available technologies, and increase in suppliers led them to back off that talk.
None of us are likely to know for certain until Aptera’s ready to put the first vehicles on the road, but my money is on it being close to (or at) the original price.
-
Since the “eyes” are functional, I doubt I’d cover them. YMMV
-
Honestly, my family think it’s neat that I’m going to make this my next vehicle.
Not that there’s not that one coworker rolling their eyes, though…
-
I’m about 6’3″ and not worried in the least. Why? There are several videos of tall guys getting into Gamma, and the production vehicle is supposed to add even more headroom. (There’s one of the 6’5″ co-presenter of Fully Charged getting into it, but I couldn’t find it right away.)
-
I have a 2017 Chevy Malibu Hybrid that I’m hoping to pass on to my teenage son. (23k miles, 36mpg in the real world)
I really enjoy the Malibu, and it’s in exceptional shape. It makes the wait for an Aptera much easier, knowing that I have a comfortable, reliable daily driver to get me through the interim.
-
Short answer: It depends on where you live.
I think it’s down to Alaska, Maine, and Massachusetts in the United States where some form of motorcycle license is required.
Here in Alaska, I took a two-day driver training course on a Can-Am Ryker so I could qualify for an M3 (trike) endorsement to be street legal whenever the Aptera is ready to go. There’s basically no legislation for this type of vehicle here and very few people talking with their state legislators to make change. Hopefully that changes soon, as I know there are some Alaskan reservation holders who don’t have a motorcycle endorsement and are going to be pissed when they can’t legally drive their vehicle on Day One.
-
It was postponed until later this month.
-
AFAIK, the off-road package *is* the winter package. I’ve ordered the off-road package specifically for snow and slush clearance.
I don’t know how vehicle sales work there, but I’ve never been given a choice of tires when buying a car. I *have* driven a car straight from the barge to the tire shop, though. My suspicion is that any tire choice beyond stock will be on us.
-
Lightyear just reported wind tunnel results of its Lightyear 0, which has already seen units hit the road. If Lightyear waited until now, it’s fair that Aptera is waiting until at least the Paradigm Editions hit the road.
(For the record, the Lightyear 0 came in at 0.175, making it the current placeholder for most efficient production car.)
-
While Aptera hasn’t done winter testing, Elaphe has some great videos on how the in-wheel motor does in various conditions. See https://youtu.be/1alRUqx9UX8 for more.
I understand that the off-road package will provide additional ground clearance and all-wheel drive is a solid choice for winter driving. Those are the options that I’ve chosen, and I feel confident of handling winter weather.
-
I got the impression that was a “somewhere, sometime down the road” thing. I wouldn’t expect it in the near term.
-
SUNGOD
LUNATC (for the Luna)
DRKSUN (for the Noir)
-
My story started recently, just this spring, when my spouse came across a story on Aptera. My first thought was “There is NO WAY that vehicle would be practical for here. A lightweight, solar, three-wheeled vehicle in our snowy, windy, mountainous rainforest?”
The more I read and viewed, the more my objections were shot down. Twenty miles of daily solar in the rainiest locales. Aerodynamics cutting down on wind resistance from not just the front, but the sides as well. All-wheel drive with plenty of low-end torque to handle the snowy grades. Now, I’m encouraged that it will work quite well here and am looking forward to being the guinea pig/unofficial recorder for how the Aptera will operate in what I originally suspected would be the worst use case scenario.
Alaska is still one of a few states that requires a motorcycle license to drive an Aptera. I’ll be flying 600 miles to Anchorage next month to train on a Can-Am Spyder and get my road credentials. (Because there are certain to be *so many* transferrable skills between the two, right? Yeah, no.)
I’ve been in touch with my state legislators regarding our poor autocycle laws. I can’t wait to get my Aptera here, offer my state senator a ride, and hand him a motorcycle helmet just to drive the point home that our licensing laws are absurd. 😹
Anyway, I’ve gone from pure sceptic to enthusiastic advocate (and grassroots lobbyist) over a period of just a few months. I didn’t think I could get so passionate about a vehicle’s potential, yet here we are.
-
I guess we’ll just have to see what I can get on a vanity plate…
-
Living in a temperate rainforest, this is naturally a concern for me as well. I don’t know the status of whether the vehicle has wipers, but that would be a major issue if the wipers weren’t there.
-
Now, I’m just some rando here, but I’d think Aptera employees are more likely to monitor and reply to an email than a veiled threat on a message board. Maybe drop a note to info@aptera.us before going full nuclear.
-
Joe, I will admit to being a pure novice in this area, so I hopped on Google. 😁
Based on what I read, if you go to a car wash, you’d want to use a brushless wash to avoid putting tears in the wrap. There may be specific spray-on waxes that would be appropriate. You might be able to use Simple Green, a garden hose, and a chamois cloth to get off bird poop and road tar. Maybe it’ll be different depending on the wrap.
Mostly, I’m going to rely on Aptera to give me the best care information since I’ve never owned a wrapped vehicle.
-
My last “oil change” cost me nearly $1,600 and a month’s use of my car. (Broken spark plug replacement immediately followed by fuel injector failure on my Malibu hybrid, plus dealing with slow shipping speeds sending the plugs then the injectors to Alaska.)
I am kind of liking the idea of not having to deal with an ICE of any kind. It’s feeling like the question goes beyond $$$.
-
I’m more interested in being able to stream with Bluetooth and use my preferred navigation app on the big screen.
I can understand others’ desire to connect to local radio for emergencies, though.
-
Does anyone have any guesses how this system will work in climates that have freezing rain &/or mixed rain and snow in a freeze/thaw cycle?
I’ve had enough experience using hair dryers and brute force to open frozen car doors that I’m trying to figure out how you’d pull that stunt off without door handles. (I guess crawling through the trunk to get to the front seat, then wait for the heater to kick in and thaw the ice out of the jambs?)
-
I guess I was never under the impression that transportation would be covered. My decision to pick up or drive will, in part, be based on what their cost to ship the vehicle to me will be.
There have been other posts stating that pick-up and/or transportation details will be released closer to the time when your particular car is ready. I’d suspect if you hang tight these questions will have answers soon enough.
-
Sandstorm by Darude…
…what was the question again?
-
I am now sending the following letter to my state representative and state senator…
—
Dear [Representative] and [Senator],
I am writing to you today regarding autocycle laws in Alaska. Despite a driving experience that is equivalent to driving a car, Alaska does not allow drivers with a standard Class D license to operate an autocycle.
I have recently placed a deposit on an Aptera autocycle, a solar/electric three-wheel passenger vehicle. I am concerned about the complete lack of reference to the autocycle class of vehicle in Alaska Statute and the inappropriate regulations currently existing within the Alaska Administrative Code. Presently, Alaska Administrative Code requires drivers to obtain a Class M (motorcycle) license to drive an autocycle [see: 2 AAC 90.210(b)(2)(A,B,H); 2 AAC 90.420(b)(2)(A)(ii); 2 AAC 90.420(h)(3); 2 AAC 90.990(a)(2)]. Alaska is one of the only states that has not updated its laws to allow – or even mandate – persons with a standard passenger vehicle license to drive an autocycle.
In reviewing autocycle legislation, I have discovered the following bills that I believe can be used to inform future Alaska Statute:
· Massachusetts Senate Bill 2360 an act relative to autocycles (Referred to Senate Rules Committee 2022)
· New York State Assembly Bill A7192A relating to operation of a three-wheeled vehicle (Adopted 2021)
· Mississippi Senate Bill 2225 to define autocycles, exempt autocycles for the requirement of a motorcycle endorsement licence, et al (Adopted 2015)
I would like to propose the following changes to Alaska Statute and the Alaska Administrative Code to bring Alaska law more into line with other states:
· Add a definition to AS 28.90.990(a) and change the definition in 2 AAC 90.990(a)(2) to read:
o “autocycle” means a three-wheeled motor vehicle with a wheel configuration of two wheels in the front and one wheel in the rear that has a steering wheel and pedals, seating which does not require the operator to straddle or sit astride, and is equipped with safety belts for all occupants.
· Create 2 AAC 90.210(b)(2)(A)(iii) to read:
o The requirement of an M1 or M3 license does not apply to autocycles as defined in 2 AAC 90.990(a)(2).
· Change the definition in AS 28.90.990(a)(19) to read:
o “motorcycle” means a vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground; the term does not include an autocycle or a tractor;
· Add a definition within 2 AAC 90.990(a) to read:
o “motorcycle” means every motor vehicle having a saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three (3) wheels in contact with the ground excluding autocycles and tractors.
· Change the definition within 17 AAC 38.025(a)(1)(A) to read:
o passenger vehicles, including autocycles as defined in AS 28.90.990(a), that are not pulling trailers;
I would also draw attention to the registration and safety language in Massachusetts S.2360. I do not know precisely where it would fit within Alaska Statute, but this language does an exceptional job of further providing appropriate regulation of autocycles. The language in Massachusetts S.2360 reads as follows:
Section 1J. Autocycles.
(a) Registration. Notwithstanding the definition of ‘Motorcycle’ in section 1 and the provisions of Section 1I, the registrar shall register a three-wheeled motor vehicle as an autocycle if it meets the definition of autocycle in section 1 and other criteria listed herein. The registrar shall issue an ‘Autocycle’ registration plate in a size determined by the registrar to be appropriate. Any vehicle previously registered as a motorcycle that fits the definition of ‘Autocycle’ shall be registered as an ‘Autocycle’ upon the expiration of any existing motorcycle registration.
(b) Safety Requirements.
(1) Helmets. Every person operating an autocycle or riding as a passenger in an autocycle shall wear protective head gear conforming with the standards of construction and performance set forth for motorcycle operators or passengers except when the autocycle has an enclosed cabin.
(2) Safety Belts. Every autocycle shall be equipped by the vehicle’s manufacturer with a safety belt properly anchored to the vehicle or a safety belt approved by the registrar during the inspection process. Every person operating an autocycle or riding as a passenger in an autocycle shall be properly secured by a safety belt while the autocycle is in motion.
(3) Additional Restriction Concerning Child Passengers in Autocycles. No person under the age of 8 that measures less than 57 inches in height shall be a passenger in an autocycle except when the autocycle has an enclosed cabin.
(c) Operating License Requirements. An autocycle may be operated by any person possessing a valid license to operate a motor vehicle. An autocycle shall not be operated by a person holding only a motorcycle license (Class M). An autocycle shall not be operated by a person holding only a learner’s permit, and the holder of any class of learner’s permit may not be tested for any license in an autocycle.
(d) Slow-Moving Autocycles. If the autocycle is a low-speed motor vehicle as described in section 1L of chapter 90, it shall be subject to the provisions said section 1I of said chapter 90 applicable to low-speed three-wheeled motor vehicles, and the registrar, in exercising its discretion to determine whether an autocycle is a low-speed vehicle, may issue a distinctive registration plate for such autocycle indicating its speed restrictions.
(e) Regulations. Autocycles shall be considered motorcycles for purposes of inspections and the registrar may amend its regulations for the inspection of motorcycles under 540 C.M.R. 4.06, where necessary, to apply to autocycles. The registrar shall have the authority to promulgate additional regulations relative to titling, registration and equipment standards for autocycles in accordance with this section.
(f) Additional Penalties. Any person who operates an autocycle on a way without wearing protective head gear or safety belts as required herein shall be subject to a fine of not less than $25. A person who operates an autocycle on a way without a valid license for operation of an autocycle or who operates an autocycle with a motorcycle license shall be deemed to be operating a motor vehicle without a license in violation of section 10.
Thank you for your attention to this issue. I hope as the Alaska State Legislature reviews the state’s transportation and motor vehicle laws that due consideration is given to the unique space that the autocycle will play in the future of the state.
Sincerely,
Eric Caldwell
—
I understand that our legislature is reviewing this section of the law, so hopefully this letter is timely and will do some good. I’ll let you know what kind of response I receive and whether any progress happens somewhere down the line.
-
I don’t know the exact width of the trunk, but using the low end estimate of 50 inches from earlier in this post and applying the Pythagorean theorem, I come up with 8 feet 1.75 inches on the diagonal.
As long as the trunk ends up being at least 50 inches wide and 72 long, you should *just* be able to get your board flat in, with a little wiggling.