OT: Aptera Car available in October

forrest · Mon Mar 02, 09 4:56 pm

Hhaha!! No shit right. Don't mess with the Snake!!!

shred_da_gorge · Tue Mar 03, 09 12:50 am

Ya mon, I tink dis guy git betta gas mileage:

http://bikeportland.org/2006/11/10/motorhome-bike-makes-portland-appearance/

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

This one is unique - wouldn't be so down on its acceleration (without trying it) only 8hp - it weights in at 500lb - the electric GEM car I had for two years would traumatize most passengers with only a 6.5 hp engine

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-10187871-48.html?tag=newsEditorsPicksArea.0

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

Does anyone else feel like the exceptionally weird and impractical alternative fuel vehicles do more damage to the cause then help?

I think it makes it easier to dismiss the idea entirely.

I guess its really hard to tell if anything is real until you see it drive by. Anyone see a Tesla in the wild yet?

DROCK999 · Since 31 May 2007 852 Posts Left Coast Opinionated

mschulz · Since 29 May 2007 530 Posts Reno, NV Addicted

[/quote]
Yes, what are we going to do with all the dead batteries from all the hybrid cars?[/quote]

Unfortunately they are going to burry them in land fills and create more superfund sites.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

shred_da_gorge · Wed Mar 04, 09 3:23 pm

Recycle them... what a concept! So they won't wind up in rivers in India like our year-old cell phones?

I've got an interview next week to work on next-gen hybrid-drive military vehicles and another to help design a charging station network for plug-in hybrids. Unfortunately none of them are near the 'hood. Sad

pdxmonkeyboy · Wed Mar 04, 09 3:47 pm

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

Yeah PMB - that's what I meant.

Until we think of Electric cars being more like a Tesla or a Volt, everyone is going to assume that they aren't ready for primetime. The Aptera might make sense but it isn't the kind of vehicle that's going to win over most Americans.

pdxmonkeyboy · Wed Mar 04, 09 5:23 pm

I think that people need to realize that there is no one perfect solution..and news flash, there isn't going to be. Everything has trade offs. From the studies I have read I think that people are going to have to get used to using mass transit systems and the fact that allot of people in the future just won't have access to cars or be able to afford using them (or even be allowed for that matter).

This is super broad scale stuff but there are many people (those that know a whole lot more about this stuff then I ever will) that see a large movement of people out of the suburbs and very rural areas into the city simply because of the cost and complexity of moving goods in and out of these areas. Its kind of especially daunting for Portland as we are an area that will be more and more colonized by "climate refugees" as we have abundant water and lots of good and services (farms) that are produced locally and we have ports and rail access.

If one looks back at how peoples lives respond to changes in technologies and markets, there has been allot of change in the last decade or so. I think there is going to be an even larger shift in the coming decades.

anywho, if you think electric cars are stupid, its probably cause your dating Sam Adams.

mschulz · Since 29 May 2007 530 Posts Reno, NV Addicted

Actually I agree with both you and PKH on this and my comment was generalized statement of what I think the average American will do and the result. As we all know from this forum, we don’t fit that mold.

I am in full support of these projects, as one of my family members is an engineer on the Aptera project. This car will revolutionize the way we look at cars. If you can get over the looks of it and that it has only three wheels, it is an awesome car. For kiters, it will hold boards and kites for two and your weekend gear. With the combustion generator back up model, you won’t even be tied to a charging station.

I have tried my best to get my hands on one of these, but So. Californians are the only ones to get access for a while.

pdxmonkeyboy · Thu Mar 05, 09 8:50 am

Isn't there some way to just have a californian buy one for you? Or would there be an issue if you tried to register it here?

I read on their website that it was california only due to the service station locations? At any rate, hopefully when the gas backup model goes to production they will be available on the entire west coast.

mschulz · Since 29 May 2007 530 Posts Reno, NV Addicted

There biggest issue is making sure that if they have problem they can access the cars quickly to make the repairs.

I asked about transferring it to me but they said I would have to have a California DL with an LA address. Damn Hollywood, they get all the cool stuff first.

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

do you suppose I can get this in electric?

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

You gotta keep working that schulzy

The GEM car I got was donated by Chrysler to a hospital in Cali (to meet an alternative energy quota- got it on Ebay) - there were no dealers or service in OR but the thing was essentially a souped up golf cart (hot lips uses them for pizza delivery) - with the Aptera you would probably have to flatbed it back to get it fixed (gen one tech usually requires some tweaks).

The GEM was the most fun thing to tool around town in - Hein is correct as your head is on a swivel waiting for death from any other vehicle - but not unlike biking around town - cept you have your dog and a couple friends and groceries.

It was limited by a governor to 25mph and you have to stay on roads posted 35. The first thing we did was reprogram it to go 50 - that was awesome till we burnt out the motor. So we got a bigger motor - and then dialed it back to 37 - which is perfect for around town. The standard car batteries (six of them) couldn't handle our tweaks in the long haul but it is easy to see where this going with improvements in battery tech, etc... Pretty cool to come home - plug it in and roll out the next day - not so cool to run out of juice half a mile from your house - do get to meet your neighbors

Here is another electric manufacturer

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-10189204-48.html?tag=newsEditorsPicksArea.0

Kraemer · Since 24 Apr 2006 1736 Posts Sky Pilot Unicorn Captain

Gman, I thought you pushed that thing home on more than one occassion Wink