[klaas-stoker]

Let’s hope large scale production will be possible after 25-26 April, when Aptera’s gamma prototype is at DriftX. DriftX is being held in the United Arab Emirates and is sponsored mainly by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO). ADIO is a very significant and wealthy investment fund organization. The main event at DriftX will be SAVI or Abu Dhabi’s Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industry cluster. The latter promotes sustainable and autonomous urban transport, as UAE plans to be a world leader in this space. It also enables connections to be made between manufacturers, suppliers and investors. It would appear to be the perfect fit.

• This reply was modified 1 month, 2 weeks ago by  Klaas Stoker.

[klaas-stoker]

Yes, I noticed that as well and they total about $1M. I am now wondering if updating the list depends on who will actually go forward with the vehicle purchase or if they are choosing an LE. There may be a number of considerations which we are not aware of.

[klaas-stoker]

I am hoping this problem has been resolved, but Elaphe motors generally need 800 volt inverters. Elaphe does not manufacture these itself, but works with Maclaren Applied. We know that Aptera has a 400 volt battery system, so in order to supply 800 V AC from a 400 V DC battery you would need not only an inverter but also a DC-DC step up.

I am not sure how Aptera is addressing this. A secondary device would work but make things a bit less efficient. On the other hand, a device that does both may not be easily available.

[klaas-stoker]

I wonder if one of the cost-savings design changes would include not offering a rear window option. Obviously, the option of replacing the rear solar cells with glass would require a different BINC structure, different molds and technical details, all of which cost extra money.

[klaas-stoker]

It looks like production vehicles will have the yoke. I am fine with it provided it has a lock to lock of 180 degrees or less. It makes no sense if you have to turn it 360 multiple times. There is an advantage to the yoke in that it makes the displays behind it unonbstructed.

[klaas-stoker]

2065 Accelerator spots and climbing… Could someone (preferably from Aptera) please explain how this number is increasing daily? It is somewhat unfair to earlier investors. I know some investments were not yet finalized, but that is a different group. I can also see overshooting the 2000 limit as growth was very quick before the deadline. But why are spots still being added more than a week later???

• This reply was modified 3 months, 1 week ago by  Klaas Stoker.

[klaas-stoker]

Chris Anthony said in the Tailosive tour/interview that high $ Acceletors may see vehicles in Fall 2024, which means others won’t see them until 2025 at the earliest.

[klaas-stoker]

I would imagine that a company like Aptera needs at least 20-30 engineers to design the different components and fitments as well as production line design. Has anyone seen this group at work at any point? Are there company staff pictures? I know a lot can be done remotely, but not all of this stuff.

I have seen a number of factory tours online, but they never show more than 3 or 4 people. Apparently, during one of them all the other employees went to CPC. Why? It does not seem to be a cost-effective things to be doing. BTW only a handful of people on LinkedIn are associated with Aptera. Maybe this does not mean much, but…

Also, where are all the batteries and solar panels stored at this point. They do not appear to be in the plant, but supposedly have been manufactured. I would feel more comfortable if some of these items have a reasonable explanation.

Thanks!

• This reply was modified 5 months ago by  Klaas Stoker.
• This reply was modified 5 months ago by  Gabriel Kemeny.

[klaas-stoker]

It would be possible for Aptera to obtain the ATVM loan if they cannot show viabilty as is by being taken under the wing of an existing (larger) company. Keeping my fingers crossed the loan is approved, because they deserve it.

[klaas-stoker]

The Accelerate money is not enough to start production, perhaps just enough to keep the doors open. Chris Anthony was supposed to be arranging investment funding in Europe earlier this spring, while Steven Fambro was doing the same in Dubai and possibly, India. They were hoping to get more than one $50M investment. One such investment would probably allow some production, but more is required for full production. My understanding is that this is a requirement on top of the $21M grant. The silence on what happened during these trips to Europe and Asia is deafening. I understand large deals will take time to finalize, but some news, any news would put many minds at ease.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by  Klaas Stoker.

[klaas-stoker]

I have seen many references to Aptera 2e. Two passenger, electric?

[klaas-stoker]

Thanks for trying to figure this out. I don’t think it will be a problem if the numbers are correct. Yayyy!!!

[klaas-stoker]

Does anyone know what the total width and height will be with the doors fully open? This is an important consideration if inside a single car garage and want to exit the vehicle. It appears that in the video the open doors exceed the width of the wheel shrouds.

[klaas-stoker]

Are you really planning to drive it in the snow? I am sure it is capable, but it may not be the best idea. Four wheel vehicles have considerably better snow grip than do 2 or 3 wheeled vehicles, which is why you don’t see the latter on the road in winter. Snow and ice cover the solar cells as well. I suppose you could drive it very carefully, but there is another concern.

In winter snow and ice can accumulate in wheel wells of cars which you must clear out or you will lose the ability to steer. I know this is not an issue in areas with dry snow, but it is a significant risk with wet snow. It is not going to be easy to clear out the wheel covers on an Aptera.

[klaas-stoker]

Here is the article: https://motorillustrated.com/dead-battery-locks-tesla-driver-out-of-his-car-repair-costs-26000/104217/#:~:text=A%20Tesla%20owner%20is%20faced%20with%20a%20%2426%2C000,Tesla%20quoted%20him%20%2426%2C000%20for%20a%20new%20battery

[klaas-stoker]

Will Aptera have a way to get into the vehicle if the doors are locked and wireless authentication fails or the battery is completely dead? Recently, I heard a story where this happened with a Tesla, which would not move the door handles. Tesla was going to replace the main battery and address the issue at a cost of $26000.00.

[klaas-stoker]

Ontario no longer offers discounts on EV purchases. The Ontario Highway Traffic Act currently states that all 3-wheeled vehicle are motorcycles, not cars. Yet, you need a full car license (Class G) to operate one.

There are a number of restrictions on 3-wheeled vehicles: trailers are prohibited and having young children as passengers is illegal. The Act appears to suggest that you must wear a helmet, but that could be a subject for debate since Aptera has a roll cage and monocoque stucture. There are no deal breakers for me here.

The above information applies to a “pilot program” in effect until 2026, at which time the laws will likely be clarified.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 7 months ago by  Klaas Stoker.

[klaas-stoker]

Accerelator LE vehicles are still slated for delivery before the end of 2024. The first three PI builds (crash testing) will be ready in April. The aim right now is to have the full PI build (first fully developed vehicle for display) ready in June. Test driving will likely happen very shortly following, but will not result in significant changes. Much can be predicted ahead by computers, so the engineering will be pretty much set. It is possible that production will ramp up very slowly starting in September for the first 2000 LE vehicles.