Aptera’s $26,000 Electric Car and 300 MPG Hybrid Coming Soon
For under $30,000, you will soon be able to buy an electric car with a 120 mile range, or a plug-in hybrid that gets 300 miles-per-gallon.
Sound like a fantasy, but this one could be coming to a dealer near you. Slated for release in late 2008, the company Aptera will be offering the initial limited release of their fully electric model Aptera Typ1, and the 300 mpg plug-in will follow in 2009.
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At first glance, this thing looks as ungainly and futuristic as other highly efficient, low-drag vehicles (it reminds me of a wingless Cessna 206). But before you pass judgment, check out the test drive video from Popular Mechanics. Also see the short video segment below. This thing cruises, topping out at 85 mph:
Aptera’s car is really a study in advanced aerodynamics. As the PM video points out, the Typ1 has embedded body panels, glass, and even windshield wipers to reduce drag. You’ll also notice it has only three wheels, which makes it legally registered in California as a motorcycle (and eligible for use of carpool lanes). It also has some nifty features, like recycled interior components, and embedded side and rear video cameras that replace side- and rear-view mirrors. Solar cells on the roof supplement internal climate control and shunt warm cabin air out the back of the vehicle—further improving efficiency and decreasing drag.
It should only take a few hours to charge the Typ1’s 10-kilowatt lithium-ion battery packs, at a cost of $1 to $2 (based on typical California electricity prices).
Aptera is currently taking refundable $500 reservations on their website.
More Electric Cars:
An Electric Car You Can Buy Today: The $20K TRIAC EV
Plug-In Hybrids Use Over 17 Times More Water Than Regular Cars, Researchers Say
Get 120 MPG Out of Your Prius (Plug It In)
The Sporty Future of Electrics Cars: the Lightning GT
For more information, see the following:
Aptera: www.aptera.com
Popular Mechanics (Nov. 20, 2007): 300-mpg, Electric Aptera Typ-1 Ready for 2008 Production
Popular Mechanics (Dec. 21, 2007): Aptera’s Super-MPG Electric Typ-1 e: Exclusive Video Test Drive
TreeHugger (Nov. 19, 2007): Unveiled: Aptera Typ-1 100% Electric and Series Hybrid Vehicles
Photo Credit: Aptera
Amber, yeah, a vehicle just to take your family grocery shopping, that’s practical. But really, most households have more than one vehicle, many have more than two. Certainly for them, one should be an Aptera.
This is the most impressive thing Ive ever seen, Great job, Will It be available with a gas engine as well? Also will the batteries cost a fortune to replace? Would love to know more. thank you.
Charles
Hello,
This is a gimmick like the smart car. Both are too expensive. Neither car is safe in a collision. The public wants a vehicle like the Chevy Volt. Not too much more money for safety and electric capability when driven less than 40 miles per day. I don’t know who is snowing who on the gas mileage issue but the Panhard in 1959 got almost 40 MPG. Electric cars will prevail though as the supply of oil dries up and gas gets too expensive. You probably have a niche market at the best. Love to hear your response.
Don
I don’t know what Mr. Gray’s problem is, maybe he is just so rich that the ever increasing gas prices don’t affect him. Me, however, I haven’t had a pay raise in 2 years, but my gas expense to get to work has more than doubled, and it going to get more expensive yet.
If you have to drive to work, it’s not like we have a choice to boycott the purchasing of gasoline, so I’m all for alternatives.
I don’t live close enough to where I work to walk, or ride a bike, and there is no public transportation, I have to drive. I’ve given some thought to getting a scooter, but that would only work out for 3-4 months out of the year. And I am over 50 and have never driven a motorcycle before, I do find it a tad scary…
Since I don’t live in a large metropolitan area, my concern would be who/where would I get this vehicle serviced should something go wrong with it? I don’t really foresee an Aptera dealership opening up in this area.
I have 8 grandchildren so I would keep my van for outings with them, but I think a vehicle like this is a great solution for my daily commute to work.
Any electric that has that much gear train noise in a parking lot at 15mph isn’t ready for prime time. They should be required to post a triangular slow vehicle warning sign on the “stern”, post a hearing loss warning sign inside, and drive only offroad at night, because they’d be roadkill on a commercial freeway after dark.
I’m not sure what I’m more excited about: the Aptera Type-1 or the Venture. I want one of each right now. I think what’s holding many people back right now is cost and length of the charge (a lot of us Californians have long commutes). 120 miles on one charge and a sticker price of $20K could heat things up for electric vehicles.
Feel free to visit http://www.apteraforum.com
Please send me info and pictures and price list and how to become a deal
Thank You
Mike Spivak
15628 Travis St
Hesperia,CA. 92345
I too would love to have this vehicle. But the two problems I have are, I don’t live in CA, and I have 6 children and a wife. So until someone comes out with a green vehicle with space for a family…not the new wave of 1 or 2 kids, I’ll just have to stick with gas sucking vans.
Look at a Loremo for a family. Seats 2 adults/two children. Deisel powered/ 900 pounds. Tops out a 100 mph. Gets 157 MPG. Goes on sale in Europe in 2009. Refuels in minutes, not hours. No large electric motors/ complex drivetrains, or expensive batteries to replace. DID I MENTION $13,000 US?