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.
- » See also: Factory Five Electric ‘33 Ford Roadster Debuts at SEMA
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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
Karl,
I’ve written about the Loremo here:
Germans Release 117 MPG Diesel Sportscar: Biodiesel, Anyone?
http://gas2.org/2008/02/14/germans-release-117-mpg-diesel-sportscar-biodiesel-anyone/
I feel that big-oil is connected to the controlling gov.(Senate)I know, real news flash right?. But,Every time some real innovator speaks out like Aptera, big-oil is there to slap them down. When trillions are at stake, the root of evil swells like high tide on a full moon.I hope that the visionaries keep fighting. However, to be sure, the Fat oil tycoon will be throwing molasses and, dirt clods at the technological innovators. Does Aptera
have a towing capacity. And will it drastically reduce it’s gas sipping performance?
Jeff
Thank you
[...] all cars driven in the US. As with most of these new hyper-efficient models we’ve seen (like Aptera’s Typ1 or VW’s 1L Car), ZPM claims the vehicle’s “tubular body provides increased [...]
Couple of things will keep this wonderful design out of your showroom.
1. No bank will finance it, so come with cash
2. No mention of climate control- 105 degree air temp and road surface of 145 degrees on the gridlocked loop- 0 degrees outside with 40 mph wind and no heat- yipes!!! All that plexiglass is a real heat builder in summer and a nightmare in icing conditions.
Solve these MINOR problems and well I just may bring cash to buy one.
there was a guy in Memphis, TN who invented a prepetual engine back in the eighties. It was in the Memphis press Simitar, the local paper, him, the reporter, and the paper are no longer with us. He has been missing since shortly after the artical. I think that reporter died in an auto accident. And that portion of the schweps-Howard news organisation was pulled out of circulation. Some smart gut should research that. Yeah the big bucks do have us, pants down.
What will be the range of the 300mpg Hybrid?
for those who are concerned about families. check out Miles Motors and Phoenix. Miles is supposed to be coming out with a 30k ish 4 door sedan soon (they say) and Phoenix is to have an suv and 4 door pick-up.
those are a bit spendy but they are out there. these are all highway speed longer range vehicles. No I don’t work for these companies I’ve just been watching them because I’d like to hear about them too.
Sorry rob just noticed youve already posted this. Like any other new technology… cell phones…Pcs…and ipods. a few who have the money to invest will “try it out” then it will come down to the rest of us. we’ll let George, Matt and Ed break them in for us then we can get one too.
the 300 mpg hybrid I would think doesn’t have a range as such. as long as you feed it it goes, like any other hybrid. I would like to see a hybrid that runs on wvo/biodiesel and electricity. I don’t know if it can be done but I like the idea. you’ll always have fuel as long as people eat fries!
I disagree with those that claim the 120 mile per charge range is impractical: if you live in an urban area 120 miles is PLENTY of range! Plus, think about it: the most inefficient time for gas cars is during STREET DRIVING. Vehicles like this are perfectly set to directly address this inefficiency.
I’m all for cars like this, the more the better. Eventually the new technology will push us to develop even better designs. People shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth: even small steps are steps in the right direction.
Thanks!