Aptera's back...Solar Electric Vehicle

[freebeard]

We BUILT a Solar Powered Electric Podracer with Its Own Supercharger Network

[Christopher Jordan]

Originally Posted by freebeard

[ Electric Podracer ]

How enjoyable! My 1989 German City-EL was all computerized in Silicon Valley before I got it (which messed it up) but mine zipped draining 3 marine Diehard batteries real fast. Almost the same 30+ years later, but mine had a snap on ragtop.

[samwichse]

This new promotional video shows the back hatch glassed in like a more traditional car. There are still rear view cameras instead of side mirrors, so I'm assuming they're allowed now... but the hatch is glass? I thought I remember that whole area covered in solar cells. Seems like that hugely reduces the number of cells they could mount on the top of this thing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V17meWEKSik

[freebeard]

Youtube wanted me to see this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6oJsUaMn0g

At 3:02 there's mention of an 'upcoming five-passenger vehicle'.

edit: Shark mouth!

[oil pan 4]

They realized the solar cells are almost useless.

[Isaac Zachary]

Engineering Explained on YouTube just did a video in why the solar panels on an Aptera would work, even if you include average cloud cover, etc. His numbers ended up being even a little more optimistic than Aptera's.

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by Isaac Zachary

Engineering Explained on YouTube just did a video in why the solar panels on an Aptera would work, even if you include average cloud cover, etc. His numbers ended up being even a little more optimistic than Aptera's.

Modern types of panels are getting more efficient
with indirect lighting
Lighter
Cheaper

You add them together and they work when your forced to park under the open sky anyway.

Worth it in my book if your willing to pay the premium for expensive electricity.

Hopefully panels on vehicles will arrest the pandemic 12 volt battery failure issue as well whereby your car sits a few weeks and then your buying a new 12v

Originally Posted by samwichse

This new promotional video shows the back hatch glassed in like a more traditional car. There are still rear view cameras instead of side mirrors, so I'm assuming they're allowed now... but the hatch is glass? I thought I remember that whole area covered in solar cells. Seems like that hugely reduces the number of cells they could mount on the top of this thing.

It’s an option, base car has a small panel central on the roof, pay extra and you can do the hatch and the hood.

[redpoint5]

Keeping a 12v battery topped up is the perfect application of a solar panel on a vehicle. Doesn't help a vehicle parked in a garage though.

[Isaac Zachary]

Of course if you park in a garage you have better access to things like 12V chargers and EVSE's. If you park out on the street like me it's a bit harder to run an extension cord to your car to keep the 12V charged up or to charge the EV itself like back when I had a Nissan Leaf.

[samwichse]

Originally Posted by rmay635703

It’s an option, base car has a small panel central on the roof, pay extra and you can do the hatch and the hood.

Ohhhh thanks. Makes more sense now!