Aptera 2e Electric Car @ Princeton

http://MPGomatic.com gets a ride in a production-intent Aptera 2e two-passenger electric vehicle. This is the very same Aptera 2e that took part in the Automotive X-Prize competition.

The three-wheeled Aptera 2e is remarkably aerodynamic and lightweight. (Production weight is expected to be in the 1800 lb. range.) It uses A123 batteries and a Remy electric motor.

This video was shot at an event in Princeton, NJ hosted by NRG Energy, an investor in Aptera.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Aptera
• 2e
• electric car
• electric vehicle
• EV
• automobiles
• cars
• driving

[AsktheBuilder]

I love the shape of the car. It reminds me of a fish. I believe I heard you say that Dan, That special material used for the body is going to put a serious dent in the body shop business if its used widespread across the auto industry. Wow!

[mpgomatic]

@AsktheBuilder Aye, Tim. Aptera's composite technique could change the game considerably ... and not just in the construction of the body panels, but in painting, as well. The panels are coated with paint while in the mold ... paint isn't sprayed as it is with conventional construction. And it's not gel coat ... their CEO explained that gel coat could add 80 pounds to the total weight of the car.

[kyle51895]

Interesting that it has a Chevy steering wheel, do they have something going with GM?

[mpgomatic]

@kyle51895 They're raiding the parts bins when possible to keep costs down ... no sense reinventing the (steering) wheel. =)

Local Motors is working in a similar manner with the Rally Fighter ... they explain the practice in the video we shot at SEMA last fall. Search YouTube for "Local Motors Rally Fighter @ SEMA 2009"

[MattHutzell]

I remember seeing this car on the internet a couple years back and thinking of how alien it looked. Now they are going to actually make it! Awesome how that works. The only downside I see to that thing, is if you don't like attention- it is an attention grabber. And I imagine it'd be tough as all get out to park. Thanks for this video Dan, I really enjoyed it! (:

[mpgomatic]

@MattHutzell Aye Matt, it's not low-key ... but hey, they say it's a chick magnet ...

[701983]

@TheColinChapman No, much too optimistic. The solar panel might have about 50 Watt Peak Power.

On a very sunny day, you might get about 500 Wh from it.

The Aptera needs about 20 kWh for 100 miles.

So you would get about 2 or 3 additional miles.

The solar panel is just for electric ventilation, so it´s not getting so hot standing in the sun.

[aorphia]

Aptera has officially gone out of business... check out their website.

[circusboy90210]

@mpgomatic strap a small diesel generator to the undercarriage. fuck waiting.

[TheColinChapman]

Can anyone tell how much the solar panel on top increases the operating range? I'd estimate that a day in the sun increases range by 10-20 miles, am I right?

[jcmik]

Were I not a poor college student I would get one of those in a heartbeat.

[Spearfisher1970]

I want one - one that leans toward the performance handling side - but I most likely won't pay $40k for one when I can get an econobox car that has mushy handling characteristics for much less. If anything, design in the ability for people to choose better handling, as it would be a shame to have something so light be terrible in the corners.

[mako50000]

The price will be about $25,000 starting. It will be able to travel 110 miles on a charge on the highway. It is made up of a combination of honeycomb resin and other materials and it's three times stronger than steel. It already is on the road where I live. I live about five minutes from there headquarters in vista. :)

[Oleana77]

I want it

[LakotaDreams]

@TheToTooTwo Actually it is not a car, it is in the motorcycle family. Must have 4 wheels to legally called a car. I was lucky enough to ride in it and on the road you forget very fast that it is a 3 wheeled vechicle. Quite comfortable and does have room in the rear.