Like I said before, give me comparisons, options, choices, pros and cons.
I get it, Aptera is corrupt because it didn't meet expectations. So don't buy one and hope they fold again. Right?
So if that's the determining factor, what company is worthy of buying a car?
Let's say Aptera finally comes out with a car. They claim their cheapest option will be $25,900 with a 250 mile range with a 25kWh battery so let's go with that. Say I'm an person who's interested in a car like the Aptera because 1) I like the side by side interior seating, 2) I live in an apartment and can only charge via a 15 amp, 120V outlet, or about 200 miles in 15 hours with the Aptera, even without solar. 3) I need at least 200 miles range.
So what would be the alternatives??? Let me help.
Nissan Leaf
For $27,400 I can get a 40kWh Leaf with a 149 mile range.
For $32,400 I can get a 62kWh Leaf with a 226 mile range.
The Leaf would make apartment charging off of 120V unfeasable for the most part. It would also cost more and have less range. Although we don't know how long Aptera batteries will last, with the Nissan we also have one of the worst degraging batteries in the industry, so might as well as look at those ranges as continuously getting down to 70% (104 and 158 miles respectively) before warranty battery replacements. If the Aptera Battery and waranty are similar, then the Aptera will often get as low as 175 miles at 70%.
Nissan has also had alleged financial misconduct with Carlos Gosen. It has also failed to meet expectations like making their out-of-waranty batteries cheaper, which have gone from some $5,000 to over $8,000 (for 24kWh batteries mind you) which has enfuriated many early adopters and has led some to believe that Leafs are for the most part a car designed to be disposed of after 8 years.
Tesla
Currently the Model 3 has a base price of $41,990, range of 263 miles and a 50kWh battery, which when plugged into a 120V outlet will get you half the miles for the same amount of time charging an Aptera. So like the Leaf, it's pretty much a given that this car is for someone who can also install an EVSE.
Tesla also has "future plans" for a $25,000 car or maybe even a $20,000 car (maybe Model 2) but we have no idea of what range or battery size it will have.
As far as the ethical comparison goes, Tesla has had it's fair share of unjust treatment. One of the most known is Tesla's terrible customer service. They've also been accused of giving permission to employees to stay home for a while due to COVID and then sending them termination noticies.
Chevy
The Bolt EV and EUV come in at $31,000 and $33,000 respectively, with ranges of 259 and 247 miles. Both come with a 65kWh battery, so EVSE or bust.
Not only has there been a lot of issues with the whole Bolt fires crisis, but many Bolt owners are fed up with GM's lack of communication. Many have no idea when or how their car will be fixed, and many who thought their car was fixed turned out to still go up in flames. Need I say any more?
PHEV's
So far we've discussed EV alternatives to the Aptera. All of them have had certain ethical problems too, making you have to choose your evil one way or the other if you want an "affordable" EV. They also have a much bigger need for an EVSE than the Aptera, so if you don't have a way of installing an EVSE and don't want to buy an Aptera but still want an EV experience, then a PHEV may be the only way to go. Here's a list of ones currently available in the USA for the same price of a Tesla or cheaper:
- Hyundai IONIQ PHEV, $24,950
- Toyota Prius Prime $27,100
- Kia Niro PHEV $27,900
- Mini Countryman SE PHEV $30,750
- Ford Excape PHEV $33,075
- Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV $34,595
- Subaru Crosstrek PHEV $35,345
- Toyota RAV4 Prime, $38,100
- Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid $41,995
So if you were going for the Aptera for the $25,900 price, a Hyundai IONIQ PHEV or Toyota Prius Prime may be good alternatives. But I haven't the time to look up what ethical or moral problems these companies have been in to make as fair of a comparison to Aptera as possible. If you were wanting a full EV the news has lately been critisizing Toyota for it's anti-EV agenda. I don't know if Hyundai or Kia are any better, but that looks like the options.
There's also the Mazda Miata for around $27,000 if all you wanted was a two seater.
And I'm not including any non-enclosed or tandem seating vehicles as I do not think they can compare to an Aptera any more than a Harley Davidson could compare with a Mazda Miata.