Ordered an Aptera typ-1h
 

Great info! I have an Aptera (claimed Cd of 0.11) on order...
http://www.aptera.com/images/SafteyCageRender.jpg
"For comparison: Honda Insight Cd=0.25. Mercedes Benz's Bionic Car and General Motors EV-1 both have a Cd=0.19. Daihatsu UFE-III Cd=0.168. GM Precept Cd=0.163. Aerodynamics in Car Design shows that the Ford Probe IV achieved a Cd=0.152 and the Ford Probe V did even better with a Cd=0.137. "http://www.fev-now.com/index.php?page=230_mpg_aptera

Wow! Congrats.

Which one - the EV or hybrid?

http://www.aptera.com/images/graph1.gif
With the All Electric Aptera, it is very easy to figure out the mileage range. The mileage is determined by the distance you can drive, under normal circumstances, until the batteries are effectively drained. In the case of the first Aptera typ-1e, we have calculated the range to be about 120miles.

With the Plug-in Electric Hybrid version of the Aptera(typ-1h) the mileage of the vehicle is difficult to describe with one number. For example, the Typ-1h can drive 40 to 60 miles on electric power alone. Perhaps for such a trip, the engine may only be duty-cycled for a few seconds or minutes. This would produce a fantastic number, an incredible number that, though factually true, would have no useful context, i.e. it's just a point on a graph.

An asymptotic decaying exponential is an accurate way to describe the fuel mileage of the Typ-1h. For example driving say, 50 miles, one might calculate a MPG number that's 2 or 3 times higher, say, 1000 MPG. As battery energy is depleted, the frequency of the engine duty cycle is increased. More fuel is used at 75 miles, the MPG might be closer to 400 MPG. Again, we're using battery energy mostly, but turning the engine on more and more. Just over 100 miles we're just over 300 MPG, and just beyond 120 miles, we're around 300 MPG.

So why pick a number at 120 miles? Well, it's more than double of most available plug-in hybrid ranges that achieve over 100 MPG. It's three times the distance of the typical American daily commute. It's a meaningful distance that represents the driving needs of 99% of Americans on a daily basis. Sure, it's asymptotic, after 350-400 miles it eventually plummets to around 130 MPG at highway speeds where it will stay all day until you plug it back in and charge it up.
http://http://www.aptera.com/details.php

I'll be climbing into my typ-1h and driving it out of the Aptera factory in California straight to Chicago.

That puppy looks like it could fly -- makes me think of The Jetsons :D

Ptero - hope you don't mind I split this into its own thread. I think people will be very interested to read about it (and may not have been following the other aero thread).

Darin

Hi,

The production version of the Aptera Typ-1e (and the Typ-1h) is due to be revealed very soon, and as so far we know that they are adding outside mirrors (to comply with the letter of California laws), though the cameras may still be an option. They are adding rear quarter windows, and part of the lower rear of the door windows are operable. The revised Cd is reported to be 0.15.

They have lowered the whole vehicle by ~4 1/2 inches, and the front wheels are move further back -- these changes will stabilize it, and make it much harder to rollover.

It is also possible that it is now front wheel drive: the element in the middle on the front suspension sure looks like it is a drive shaft:

http://www.aptera.com/test2/layout5.jpg

Here's a comparison of the Mk-1 (below) and the production version (MK-2? above) with the outline of the old overlayed on the new version.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...omparisons.png

Cool. Do you have a motorcycle license yet? It should be interesting to see how the CHP decides to interpret the mandatory motorcycle helmet law in the Aptera.

Although the Aptera is a motorcycle, 3-wheelers do not require motorcycle licenses - and because it is an enclosed motorcycle, no helmet is required.

http://www.rqriley.com/imagespln/t-mag_rear1.jpg
I bought a Trimagnum reverse trike very similar to this one in 2000. According to Popular Mechanics, the skidpad rating exceeds that of a Corvette. There is a critical relationship between the wheelbase and front axle track dimensions and center of gravity on reverse trikes. If you get these dimensions right, the reverse trike is as formidable on a race track as a 4-wheel vehicle, with no unexpected tendency to slide the rear wheel out.

FYI, I have just obtained an aluminum block Northstar V8 and drive for this Trimagnum, which will be converted to run on both gasoline and natural gas/hydrogen gas mixtures and provide around one horsepower for every 6 pounds. I am also installing a MacPherson strut front end which requires conversion to a single seat and an aircraft-type canopy.

Talk about ecomodding, Robert Riley, who sells the plans, is now designing a diesel PHEV called the XR3 using the TriMagnum concept. His progress can be followed here:
http://www.autobloggreen.com/photos/...s-pics/980066/

Aptera has additional concerns about how the public will unknowingly alter the center of gravity and perhaps the stability of the vehicle. We have witnessed a steady progression from the optimized original to this compromised model, but a .cd of .15 is still spectacular.

The Canadian Vehicle Code addresses reverse trikes in a scientific way that is worthwhile reading:

Vehicle Stability

505. (1) Subject to subsection (2), the height of the centre of mass, shown in Figure 1, of a motor tricycle or a three-wheeled vehicle shall not exceed one and a half times the horizontal distance from the centre of mass to the nearest roll axis, shown in Figure 2.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a motor tricycle designed in such a way that it leans during a turning manoeuvre in the same direction as the turn.

(3) The total weight of a motor tricycle or three-wheeled vehicle on all its front wheels, as measured at the tire-ground interfaces, shall be not less than 25 per cent and not greater than 70 per cent of the loaded weight of that vehicle.

(4) The loaded weight of a motor tricycle or three-wheeled vehicle and the location of its centre of mass shall be determined under the following conditions:

(a) the fuel tank is filled to any level from 90 to 95 per cent of the vehicle fuel tank capacity;

(b) a 50th percentile adult male anthropomorphic test device or an equivalent mass is located at every front outboard designated seating position but, if an equivalent mass is used, its centre of mass shall coincide, within 12 mm in the vertical dimension and 12 mm in the horizontal dimension, with a point 6 mm below the position of the H-point as determined by using the equipment and procedures specified in SAE Standard J826, Devices for Use in Defining and Measuring Vehicle Seating Accommodation (July 1995), except that the length of the lower leg and thigh segments of the H-point machine shall be adjusted to 414 mm and 401 mm, respectively, instead of the 50th percentile values specified in Table 1 of that standard; and

(c) adjustable seats are placed in the adjustment position that is midway between the forward-most and rearmost positions and, if separately adjustable in a vertical direction, shall be at the lowest position but, if an adjustment position does not exist midway between the forward-most and rearmost positions, the closest adjustment position to the rear of the midpoint shall be used.

(5) For a motor tricycle or three-wheeled vehicle with one wheel at the front and two wheels at the rear, the horizontal distance from the centre of mass to the nearest roll axis, shown in Figure 2, shall be determined using the equation

d = L sin (arctan (t / 2W))

where

d is the horizontal distance from the centre of mass to the nearest roll axis;

L is the longitudinal distance between the centre of mass and the centre of the front axle;

t is the width of the wheel track of the rear axle; and

W is the wheelbase.

(6) For a motor tricycle or three-wheeled vehicle with two wheels at the front and one wheel at the rear, the horizontal distance from the centre of mass to the nearest roll axis, shown in Figure 2, shall be determined using the equation

d = (W - L) sin ( arctan (t / 2W))

where

d is the horizontal distance from the centre of mass to the nearest roll axis;

W is the wheelbase;

L is the longitudinal distance between the centre of mass and the centre of the front axle; and

t is the width of the wheel track of the front axle.

(7) Motor tricycles manufactured before September 1, 2004 need not comply with this section.

http://www.tc.gc.ca/acts-regulations...ure1-e_505.gif

Legend

h is the height of the centre of mass

L is the longitudinal distance between the centre of mass and the centre of the front axle

W is the wheelbase

Figure 1 — Side View

http://www.tc.gc.ca/acts-regulations...ure2-e_505.gif

Legend

d is the horizontal distance from the centre of mass to the nearest roll axis

t is the width of the wheel track of the front or rear axle

W is the wheelbase

Figure 2 — Top View



Established by:
SOR/2003-272 24 July, 2003 pursuant to section 5 and subsection 11(1) of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, comes into force 24 July, 2003.

Schedule IV is amended by adding section 505 after section 500.

SOR/2007-180 July 31, 2007 pursuant to section 5 and subsection 11(1) of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act comes into force August 22, 2007.

Paragraph 505(4)(b) of Schedule IV is replaced.

Ptero, what is the estimated delivery date?

I love their choice of words: "plummets to around 130 MPG". Are you listening, Detroit?

How did you manage to get on their list? When I looked, they were only accepting reservations from California addresses.

If you look at his info block, you'll see he lives in California.:rolleyes:

Here is an interesting article on the handling characteristics of three-wheeled vehicles.

http://www.rqriley.com/images/fig-3whl.gif

Neil, that is a good illustration of why conventional trikes are so dangerous. I won't even drive one. Note that the margin of safety against rollover on a conventional trike is only about 40% of a reverse trike! Also, look where your cg is in relation to your steering traction. Conventional trikes will lose steering traction in encounters with gravel or water that a reverse trike would easily overcome. Suicidal! (I am talking about performance handling and safety at highway speed. NEVs and utility vehicles using the conventional trike frame are not in this group.)

If I may ask...what's one of those Aptera thingys cost?

:eek: Over $30k

Also, the cost of that Trimagnum reverse trike, plus it's fuel economy?

Not a bad price...I'd pay something close to that I think...if I lived in year-round sun. Boston probably isn't the best place to own one!

Don't forget to apply for your tax credit when the vehicle is delivered.
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...-car-5415.html

It's not a car.

OMG exciting! When will it show up? Have I missed this portion yet?

Hi,

The cost that we have heard so far is $27K for the Typ-1e, and $30K for the Typ-1h. I think the Typ-1e with its 10kWh battery will qualify for ~$6,100 tax credit, and the Typ-1h with its smaller battery (6-7kWh?) will qualify for a proportionally smaller tax rebate.

The Chevy Volt has a 16kWh battery, which is over the 15kWh criteria for the full $7,500 tax rebate.

There is an excellent Aptera Forum:

ApteraForum.com - Aptera Car Forum -

Hey guys, remember the heady days when Aptera was definitely going to make a real product and not go bankrupt without producing anything?

Pepperidge Farms remembers.

Because those days are back, apparently.
https://www.autoblog.com/2019/08/28/...hicle-revival/

The original founders have bought the IP back from the Chinese company that scavenged it from the carcass of the old Aptera Co. and are promising a new car with INCEREDIBLE SPECS®.

I wonder how much the deal was.

Back in the good old Obama days where everyone was taking government grant money for some pipe dream startup then going bankrupt 6 months later and getting bought up by the Chinese.
Anyone wonder why that doesn't happen anymore?
I dont.

I expect in 11 years we can similarly resurrect the thread on that Dutch solar car.

Yeah they will finally build it and use a standard ev transaxle because hub motors will still be suffering from catastrophically short life expectancy.

For sure, I'd put my money on those clowns.

They need to STFU and build something. Out of their own pockets.

Oh no you have to have other people pay to build the prototype then when all the money is gone go bankrupt but if your idea is remotely marketable you get bought by a big company and they can realize there is no market then quietly dismantle it.