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Production Imminent: 40 Solar-Charging Aptera EVs Coming Soon

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21–30 of 57 posts

Re: Production Imminent: 40 Solar-Charging Aptera EVs Coming Soon

#21
post #18

Is that legit? That looks like vaporware scam to be honest Edit: the fact the official aptera website has a banner at the top with their stock ticker is very suspicious, I assume it was a spac that didn’t go well? Edit 2: actually, not a spac, direct listing as a public benefit corporation. They seem to have a very messy and complicated history with a lot of over promises and no delivery

It kinda has been to some degree. The first corporation went bankrupt in 2011. Hopefully they'll build/deliver some consumer vehicles this time.

There's also been plenty of vaporware from existing manufacturers, and the majority of what they've built have been more compliance vehicles than serious, no compromise, mass production EVs, so seeing that approach refreshing.

Re: Production Imminent: 40 Solar-Charging Aptera EVs Coming Soon

#23

There’s a Chinese EV called the Solarky that has 600w of panels on it (300w with another 300w that slides out when stationary), which can collect about 50km of range a day, and sells right now for around $10k around Asia. More info here: https://youtu.be/Hk6aTKV-des

It feels like a generation of transportation alternatives is going to bypass the USA.

Re: Production Imminent: 40 Solar-Charging Aptera EVs Coming Soon

#25

There’s a Chinese EV called the Solarky that has 600w of panels on it (300w with another 300w that slides out when stationary), which can collect about 50km of range a day, and sells right now for around $10k around Asia. More info here: https://youtu.be/Hk6aTKV-des

This is a much more interesting concept than Aptera. Small and affordable car, expandable solar array. Keep it simple.

Re: Production Imminent: 40 Solar-Charging Aptera EVs Coming Soon

#26
post #17

Their reservation page says $30 off on a $40000 vehicle. That made me laugh

It's $30 off the $100 reservation fee, not off the entire price. Let's see if they manage to start delivering some finally now. There's no inherent reason you can't build something like this. Solar panels are getting more efficient over time, batteries storage gets more dense and less weight.

$40k is pretty high though. They've had endless drama and turmoil. It does take a huge amount of money and effort to bring a new vehicle to market. I'm skeptical but I guess I hope they make it.

Re: Production Imminent: 40 Solar-Charging Aptera EVs Coming Soon

#27
Aptera is one of those things where the idea is so attractive one is far too tempted to ignore poor execution. And the current set of people there might actually be competent. But even if they are the whole series of misadventures has put people off experimenting with lightweight EVs.

I'm pleased that E bikes are taking off, but I'd love to see something like a fully faired series hybrid E bike.

Re: Production Imminent: 40 Solar-Charging Aptera EVs Coming Soon

#28

Are people still falling for Aptera's nonsense?

I have been watching this product for at least 10 years. Think I will wait till the first 1,000 roll off the lines before I get interested in plunking down money. I want them to succeed, but too many outfits like this one went broke early.

The product concept really does need to exist in this world.

I just don't think the folks who have taken 50k preorders over the last 20 years and have yet to fulfill one are going succeed.

Re: Production Imminent: 40 Solar-Charging Aptera EVs Coming Soon

#29

It seems kind of amazing. I think I'd like to own something like that, but I'll wait until there are some reviews and the bugs get shaken out more. Also don't know if foggy San Francisco has enopugh sunlight to make it viable. What happens when you run out of charge?

Plenty of reviews on youtube already.
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