[thomaslangston]

One way to approach the engineering question of how to make solar cars for the mass market is to push the car body design to be extremely efficient. Aptera's three wheel, two seat, design seems more likely to deliver the type of daily range extension that will make solar cars a contender in the market.

https://aptera.us/vehicle/

[incone123]

I would not imagine range is the issue for a two seater, 3 wheel car. That sounds like it would be used for short trips and would lack the luggage space I want on a long trip. Also, I'm not interested in driving a tiny car on high speed trunk roads.

[timbit42]

The aerodynamics and lightweight of the Aptera means it can get 1000 miles on only a 100 kWh battery, 10 miles per kilowatt, twice as efficient as the Tesla Model 3. It is so efficient that in California sun, its solar panels can generate 40 miles each day. It is also available with smaller batteries with only 500 or 250 miles per day. People who don't drive more than 40 miles per day might never need to charge their Aptera. Overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpiH-Y-HOvE

[cagenut]

you are mistaken. its combination of aerodynamics and composite bodyweight give it particularly excellent range. also as a byproduct of the teardrop aerodynamic design it actually has a somewhat absurd amount of luggage space. third it is not particularly tiny, no more so than any other compact. fourth its design tradeoff (the bodystyle) is specifically most relevant at higher speeds when drag is the predominant energy factor, its made for high speed trunk roads.

[foxyv]

That's kind of funny because I considered buying an Aptera specifically for long trips. A 1000 mile battery and a 40 minute recharge time at only 40kw makes it ideal for long trips. Especially with very few 100kw chargers on your route. The cargo space is large because it lacks a back seat and on our Fit we always fold down the back anyways.

If you have kids, or a ton of stuff you need to carry I would recommend a Prius Prime instead.

[twobitshifter]

How big is Aptera’s trunk? https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=f3jVDqiLYOs

[ianai]

Yes they need to make a four wheel option that doesn’t look like a great way to die in any accident for those of us surrounded by F150s and larger.

[steveBK123]

Aptera is not long for this world, especially now that ZIRP is over.

Pointing to Aptera as an example of why this is feasible is like pointing go some screen grabs of Duke Nukem Forever in 1999.

Solar roof cars are like the Google Glass of EVs.

[thomaslangston]

This doesn't compute.

Higher interest rates makes a highly efficient and modestly sized two seater more attractive not less.