Most of the startups are quoting ranges based on full charge and full discharge. Beyond these points the batteries will be destroyed. Even coming close to the end points reduces the service life. This is why the GM Volt is utilizing only 50% of the 16 kWh battery pack capacity by charging only to 70% and discharging to 20%. In addition they have a very high tech coolant system using liquid coolant. Temps over 160 F are destructive to LiIons. Road surface temps in urban heat island areas during sunny summer days approach these levels.

Toyota warrants the Prius pack for 8 years and GM is planning 10 for the Volt. Think twice about buying anything with a lesser guaranteed service life. You may find yourself still making payments on a car needing a replacement $10,000 battery pack.

Ask yourself what the capacity of your laptop battery is now vs. when you bought it. That may give you an idea of the difficulty of maintaing batter life in an automotive application. Most laptop packs lose half their capacity in two years but fortunately cost only somewhat over a hundred bucks. Not so with automotive packs.

Most of the startups are quoting ranges based on full charge and full discharge. Beyond these points the batteries will be destroyed. Even coming close to the end points reduces the service life. This is why the GM Volt is utilizing only 50% of the 16 kWh battery pack capacity by charging only to 70% and discharging to 20%. In addition they have a very high tech coolant system using liquid coolant. Temps over 160 F are destructive to LiIons. Road surface temps in urban heat island areas during sunny summer days approach these levels.

Toyota warrants the Prius pack for 8 years and GM is planning 10 for the Volt. Think twice about buying anything with a lesser guaranteed service life. You may find yourself still making payments on a car needing a replacement $10,000 battery pack.

Ask yourself what the capacity of your laptop battery is now vs. when you bought it. That may give you an idea of the difficulty of maintaing batter life in an automotive application. Most laptop packs lose half their capacity in two years but fortunately cost only somewhat over a hundred bucks. Not so with automotive packs.

I must say, the front wheel drive switch comes as a surprise, though. I would think that would add quite a bit of weight versus the belt drive rear final. Sure, you get chassis jacking with that setup, but I can’t really see the Aptera as anything other than a fair weather road vehicle anyway (Try to imagine an Aptera in snow… LOL!).

This vehicle will fit into my “fleet” perfectly: I have a Quad Cab 4×4 pickup and a Beemer, but nothing in between. Plus, it can carry all the gear I need for a gig.

I’d take it from SA to Tucson, but not to CO. ;^)

I must say, the front wheel drive switch comes as a surprise, though. I would think that would add quite a bit of weight versus the belt drive rear final. Sure, you get chassis jacking with that setup, but I can’t really see the Aptera as anything other than a fair weather road vehicle anyway (Try to imagine an Aptera in snow… LOL!).

This vehicle will fit into my “fleet” perfectly: I have a Quad Cab 4×4 pickup and a Beemer, but nothing in between. Plus, it can carry all the gear I need for a gig.

I’d take it from SA to Tucson, but not to CO. ;^)

Well, actually, that’s not quite true. I’m waiting to see them smash the side with a sledgehammer, fix it for less than ten thousand dollars, and THEN crash test it with the same safety result as a pristine vehicle right out of the factory.

Well, actually, that’s not quite true. I’m waiting to see them smash the side with a sledgehammer, fix it for less than ten thousand dollars, and THEN crash test it with the same safety result as a pristine vehicle right out of the factory.

Hellllooooo, are you awake? If this many people are frustrated with Aptera, then that means there is a problem. I’m NOT an Aptera depositor, but I can see part of the problem just by looking at Aptera’s stupid half-baked web site. They really don’t tell you much, and the whole thing looks like it was designed to entertain a 4th grader. YOU need to learn some manners as a blogger and stop belittling your readers. Otherwise when people see your by-line, they’ll ignore your story.

Hellllooooo, are you awake? If this many people are frustrated with Aptera, then that means there is a problem. I’m NOT an Aptera depositor, but I can see part of the problem just by looking at Aptera’s stupid half-baked web site. They really don’t tell you much, and the whole thing looks like it was designed to entertain a 4th grader. YOU need to learn some manners as a blogger and stop belittling your readers. Otherwise when people see your by-line, they’ll ignore your story.