It’s Not the Jetson’s Car, but it’s Close
Aptera is a little known auto producer that is looking to make a big splash in the electric car market with their new design. The car looks a little something like a space ship or, failing that, it at least looks like it could take off and fly you to your destination. Aptera is banking on gas prices rising to the point where their vehicle will look ever more attractive, according to uk.reuters.com:
“It doesn’t matter if gasoline is $2 or $4 a gallon, you are still going to be buying a lot less when you buy our vehicle,” Wilbur said.
Aptera will begin shipping its all-electric vehicles to customers in the fourth quarter of this year. The electric version has a 100 mile range per charge and can be recharged by plugging into a regular electric outlet.
I’ve got to say that I find these 50 mile, 40 mile, 100 mile estimates a bit depressing. We could put a man on the moon 40 years ago but we can’t get a man from New York City to Albany without making him first stop to find an outlet. Another factor in the success or failure is Aptera’s new car price. Coming in at anywhere from 25 thousand to 40 thousand dollar potential drivers might end up questioning if the price tag i worth the savings. Regardless of the fate of Aptera’s new vehicle, it is nice to see the trend towards smaller more fuel efficient cars continuing.
I agree that we need to construct more cars that are less reliant on fossil fuels. The only reason I can see for the entire would not having solar, hydrogen, hemp/soy/corn, etc. powered cars is that the corporations and oil companies are barring this from happening. The technology, as you said, has definitely been around for quite some time; we are just not or are unable to utilize it.
Why can’t they make normal looking hybrid/electric cars… they always have to look like they are from some cheesy 50’s sci-fi movie. Very unattractive and stupid looking. How are people going to park a 3-wheeled car? The turning dynamics of 3 wheels is vastly different from 4 wheels.
Regards!