Congress approves three-wheelers for DOE funds
by Jeremy Korzeniewski on Oct 16th 2009 at 5:05PM 
Aptera 2e final design rendering - Click above to enlarge
Following months of debate, Congress has approved a bill that will pave the way for three-wheeled vehicle manufacturers like Aptera to qualify for funding from the Department of Energy. Next step: President Obama's desk, and the Commander-in-Chief is reportedly expected to sign the bill into law in short order. Rep. Brian Bilbray, a Republican from California that co-sponsored the bill, says:
Indeed, three-wheeled vehicle platforms sometimes have the potential to use less energy to operate than their four-wheeled siblings, though some still question the inherent safety of such designs. Assuming the bill passes the President's desk, any manufacturer of enclosed three-wheeled vehicles that can carry at least two adults while returning at least 75 miles per gallon will be eligible for funding, though the DOE will still approve applications on a case-by-case basis.This is a huge win for scientific innovation and the environment. We need more innovation and less regulation when it comes to promoting new ways to save energy while saving money at the pump.
Gallery: Aptera
[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
ForgedInternals 5:30PM (10/16/2009)
Congress is on a roll here, these would only work in some sort of perfectly paved Utopia
Reply
meme 5:50PM (10/16/2009)
Yeah, like this perfectly paved utopia:
http://twitpic.com/jurys
Sean 6:04PM (10/16/2009)
I don't see why it would have a problem with 99% of the paved roads in any first world country.
ForgedInternals 8:13PM (10/16/2009)
That's pretty flat this thing will be horrible on your average road with potholes and those sheets of metal they lay down while their doing construction.
meme 8:17PM (10/16/2009)
And your logic for that is...?
For points of comparison, the version at the top of this article is the production version. Notice the ground clearance and raised skirts with impact-resistant undersides.
Sollord 6:37PM (10/17/2009)
Forget potholes I'd be terrified of semi trailers and lifted 4x4 trucks.
meme 7:16PM (10/17/2009)
You seem to be either under the mistaken impression that A) this is a small car, or B) it doesn't ridiculously exceed car standards for crush protection, or C) that it won't be fully crash tested as well before release.
Boyprodigy1 5:36PM (10/16/2009)
Thank god they got some sense. These things will be perfect for summer cars, and work in most other seasons in most places too. I really think i will buy on when i get the money for it.
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meme 5:50PM (10/16/2009)
Why just summer? FWD, low CG, wide stance, short braking distance, short cornering radius, low inertia, weight near the drive wheels, etc. The only negative, in my view, is that the rear wheel will track down the center of the lane, where you're less likely to have wheel ruts. But then again, that rear wheel doesn't do much more than prop up the rear end.
Boyprodigy1 6:15PM (10/16/2009)
Oh, Its FWD? Sign me up!
meme 6:30PM (10/16/2009)
Yep -- they switched to FWD in spring of '08. The Mk0 and Mk1 were RWD, but it's been FWD since then.
GoodCheer 6:34PM (10/16/2009)
Meme: I know you are a big booster of the Aptera, and are very well versed in a great variety of interesting subjects... (so in other words, I know you're smart and all)
... but why do you keep talking about the 'cornering radius' of the Aptera, as though it means anything even vaguely significant about the performance, handling, or safety of the vehicle?
All that means is that it has a relatively short wheel-base, and that the front wheels can turn relatively far.
meme 2:54AM (10/17/2009)
"... but why do you keep talking about the 'cornering radius' of the Aptera"
You don't think the ability to maneuver in tight spaces is important?
why not the LS2LS7? 5:40PM (10/16/2009)
Ridiculous.
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KK 6:12PM (10/16/2009)
You seem to be under the impression that everyone thinks the same way, and therefore require no explanation to understand your one-word comment. That is not the case.
why not the LS2LS7? 8:50PM (10/16/2009)
Sorry about that.
Completely ridiculous.
Chris M 9:32PM (10/16/2009)
What would be "completely ridiculous" is if it looked like that but still got lousy fuel economy, or was too small and cramped to be comfortable, or if pieces kept falling off. Since that isn't the case, it's not.
Appearance is minor, performance is what counts. I'd put up with an odd appearance if it came with substantial advantages, and when it comes to efficiency Aptera does have a substantial advantage.
why not the LS2LS7? 9:54PM (10/16/2009)
All the current manufacturers also know that you can make a motorcycle more efficient than a car. And appearance doesn't matter? Ask Honda how either of the Insights have worked out so far. Their appearance, while not nearly as ugly as this, held both of them back.
Why have safety standards and then pay companies to make vehicles that clearly won't meet them? If we want to emphasize fuel efficiency over safety, fine, change the regs so all car companies can make deathtraps and let the market sort it out. Paying one company to make a nightmare while others have to toe the line isn't right.
You can't even sell a 3-wheel off-road vehicle in the US anymore due to safety (it's legal I think but impossible from a liability standpoint), and now we're going to have 3 wheel cars instead?
KK 10:53PM (10/16/2009)
Do "all current manufacturers" know how to build a FULLY ENCLOSED motorcycle that gets 75 miles to the gallon?
And appearance does matter, I agree. I think the Aptera looks good enough and distinct enough to convert many people into EV drivers.
As for the dangers of 3-wheel off-road vehicles, weren't those of the "delta" configuration (two rear wheels and one front wheel)? "Tadpole" configuration trikes (2 front wheels) have completely different handling. I know, I have human-powered trikes of both configurations.
Ian Bruce 12:12AM (10/17/2009)
I've driven the Carvers (3-wheel deltas) extensively on the 5 and the 405 freeways in Southern California -- something I would never do if I felt the vehicles were in any way unsafe. The current platform has some limitations, but nothing that some additional engineering cannot overcome.
To put it kindly, you simply don't know what you're talking about.
Thanks for dropping by, though.