Aptera officially resubmits application for DOE loan
Aptera 2e final design rendering - Click above to enlarge
Not that it comes as a shock or anything, but word comes from Aptera (by way of Green Car Advisor) that it has officially resubmitted its application for DOE loans. The hopeful manufacturer of three-wheeled electric vehicles had previously submitted an application for funds from the DOE's Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing (ATVM) program, but the application was declined as the funds were only available for four-wheeled vehicles.
Now that President Obama and Congress have revised the ATVM program to include three-wheeled cars that can carry at least two passengers and return at least 75 miles per gallon (or the electrical equivalent, naturally), Aptera now qualifies for funding. As such, Aptera has updated its application for a $75 million loan.
The updated application still needs to be approved by the powers that be before any funds will be distributed, though it would seem that Aptera would be a shoe-in now that the program's guidelines have been revised.
[Source: Green Car Advisor]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
RAN 3:08PM (10/30/2009)
Uhh.... that's SHOO-IN not "shoe-in." :-)
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polo 2:36PM (10/31/2009)
"It is purely a commuter car, which means families will have to forget it, or have a second vehicle"
and? This car is basically a coupe that seats 3. Not every car has to be suitable for polygamists to be successful.
"I don't like the idea of mandating much of anything."
I missed the part where these DOE loans came with mandates that forced people to buy the cars. Could you show me where they said that? The DOE also loaned money for the Volt and Nissan Leaf. Do I have to buy one of each or can I pick and choose?
Leo 3:51PM (10/30/2009)
that's all we need: 10^6 dollar loans for complete geek autos like this. three wheels = so un-cool...
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meme 4:04PM (10/30/2009)
Yeah, that's all we need -- people commuting in vehicles that make a Prius look like a Hummer. How dare some people buy efficient vehicles! Screw them -- let's *mandate* inefficient vehicles for everyone while we're at it!
(/sarcasm)
Seriously, why would you *oppose* companies that make efficient rides? As if the entire world population agrees on *any* vehicle. That's what diversity is for.
And, I almost hesitate to dignify the "geek" comment, but if all you care about is whether women will like your car:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gX8oabtuX0o
http://www.electric-cars-are-for-girls.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fxe1QIIbgM
sean lawrence 4:39PM (10/30/2009)
I like the Aptera, gas or electric. It is purely a commuter car, which means families will have to forget it, or have a second vehicle.
I don't like the idea of mandating much of anything. Let those that want to buy it, buy it. If it suceeds great, if not ... that's life. The government should not be in the car business.
I have been driving small displacement autos all of my life. I hope that the Aptera handles well.
Henry 9:00AM (11/02/2009)
And people say Detroit is out of touch with the customer. A +75 mpg commuter vehicle is a great idea, but this execution sucks. The Aptera is a concept that nobody will pull the plug on because it's P.C. and politically well connected to Democrats.
Leo 4:33PM (10/30/2009)
meme, i knows it is efficient an all, but i wouldn't been seen dead in such a vehicle. nope, this is for your overweight/underweight organic dude, with 'i love web 2.0' plastered over his t-shirt (tucked into his slacks), iphone-touting, nerd, who jerks off to the thought of the incredibly low drag coefficient.
You looked out the window recently? Bet you didn't see a flying saucer. Not one.
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KK 4:53PM (10/30/2009)
Fine, if you don't like it, then don't buy one. Why do you (and a few others) feel it necessary to express your personal dislike of the Aptera's aesthetics every time it's mentioned here?
polo 8:53PM (10/30/2009)
eh. I don't fall into any of those groups and I'd pick one up....in all black.
WilliamInPDX 9:18PM (10/31/2009)
All hail Leo! Swami of Cool! Please impart upon us the wisdom of your latest "HOT!...and NOT!" list!
Just because you rant about how YOU PERSONALLY "wouldn't been seen dead in such a vehicle" does NOT equate to "this is for your overweight/underweight organic dude, with 'i love web 2.0' plastered over his t-shirt (tucked into his slacks), iphone-touting, nerd, who jerks off to the thought of the incredibly low drag coefficient." Your rant merely informs us that you are a boring, poseur tool. Go ahead man! Brag to everyone that you care more about how you are viewed by others than you do about performance.
Just because you lack what it takes socially and intellectually to ROCK an extreme vehicle in public says WAY more about you and YOUR limits than it does the Aptera and it's capabilities.
If you're going to flat INSULT a remarkable vehicle AND anybody who would drive it, you should have a point OTHER than that you confuse "mainstream" and "normal" as "cool", you have to accept the fact that others can insult you for simply having a fragile ego.
Lad 4:59PM (10/30/2009)
I like the efficiency of the car; however, there is a safety fact concern with the small wheels sticking out there, unseen by Grandma when she parks next to the three-wheeler. God help you if you lose one at highway speed or get hit by another car.
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meme 6:19PM (10/30/2009)
These aren't side mirrors. They're composite shells on a steel mount, attached as well as the wheels on any car; they're not just going to fall off. And in all renderings except the one chosen for this article, there are clear running lights on them, making them very visible.
Lad 8:48PM (10/30/2009)
It's good to hear that the outboard wheels have been well engineered for strength. Has the car been tested for crash test integrity? And, if so, how did the wheels and body fair in the test?.
meme 3:42AM (10/31/2009)
You don't crash test a vehicle until you have the final model out. It's a waste of money otherwise. But every opportunity the company gets, they point out that they're going to crash test it before first delivery. And they're not idiots; they know people won't buy it otherwise.
Lad 1:13PM (10/31/2009)
As I said: I like the engineering, especially the aerodynamics of the body. The tear drop shape has been known for years as the ideal configuration for minimum drag. And, nothing I have read so far would lead me to believe the creators are less that very intelligent people. I wish them well. The more BEVs that hit the roads means that many less ICEs and their fossil fuel pollution.
WilliamInPDX 11:25PM (10/31/2009)
Safety concerns are legitimate concerns, and everyone interested is waiting on a final production configuration and performance specs, as well as crash testing results. The ultimate goals, and the results of extensive prototyping are pretty remarkable, but conclusions drawn from pictures can confuse. My point being-
1) This is not a "little" vehicle. Even among it's biggest fans, the worry is that it might be TOO wide. Neither is it short. Try fitting a surfboard or ski's INSIDE the average sub compact, let alone a vehicle the size of a smart or NEV.
2) Non-steel does not mean cheap or weak. Despite the fact that Aptera has not been finalized OR crash tested, there are plenty of legitimate reviewers who have beat the hell out of a prototype shell, in groups or with sledge hammers, and still been amazed by the structural integrity. I humbly believe that Aptera WILL test and prove it's safety cred before anyone actually owns a production example
3) Aptera is more like a Bugatti Veyron than it is like a Prius or Fusion Hybrid. If it comes to pass as a production vehicle, it will OBLITERATE previous efficiency standards while still giving it's drivers the performance of a light weight sporty car.
Keep asking the hard performance questions, and hope that America, if not Aptera can LEAD with actual investment in tech superiority and real world results over fears of being "too different" to honestly RULE it's performance category