Thinking about the Aptera sEV

[St-Gerard]

What makes me think about solar charging my Van it has a large surface area for solar panels, most drives are under fifty miles. Would leave the gas engine and drive train in it for longer drives or when pulling a trailer. Cost is a major consideration, would it be worth it.

 

[Nexus]

I think they make their own panels. I don't recall where they get the cells in the panels from. Those panels are far higher output than typical panels are. Your have have to cover the entire roof, hood and maybe also the dash of your van to get any solar of significance.

They don't actually make them themselves but outsource to a company called Sunpower. I think they had a hand in the design, however.

 

[Nexus]

What makes me think about solar charging my Van it has a large surface area for solar panels, most drives are under fifty miles. Would leave the gas engine and drive train in it for longer drives or when pulling a trailer. Cost is a major consideration, would it be worth it.

I'm not sure how much range you could actually generate using solar. They claim the Aptera will generate up to 40 miles/day, and that's on a typical California summer day. The Aptera is twice as energy-efficient as a Tesla Model 3, which is one of the most efficient production cars. Even with the extra real estate on the roof, I don't think you could generate significant range. Also, you have to factor in the extra weight of the batteries, panels, and motor(s) as well.

 

[St-Gerard]

The Van weighs 4600 lbs , with me and a 1/4 tank of fuel, less than most electric trucks. Back in physics class (1977) Peter G and it figured out how much square footage of panels you would need to generate 20 electric horse power. Never did it because the solar cells would have cost $44,000 back then. So cost of panels a lot cheaper now, thinking need to make the wheels into motors by installing magnets in the rims and the stator on the brake backing plate, front wheels on steering knuckle. Making a controller is way beyond my electrical knowledge.

This train of thought all started in English class, when we had a to write a story about what we thought life would be like in the year 2000. I had visioned going to a New Year's Party in a Solar powered electric car. Okay so Aptera is only 25 years late.
Other thing to consider is it worth it as I have only driven 40,000 kilometers in 18 years.all depends on cost.

 

[rjs987]

Half a VERY SMALL step there...
My wife is now talking of replacing one of our vehicles. The 2015 Rav4. She's concerned about prices going up due to tariffs. The other car is newer but has more miles and a lower likely sale price. At least she is open to a partially electric vehicle, but stuck on a newer (but not new) Hybrid Rav4. A 3 year old hybrid really won't be affected by tariffs yet. Even current inventory won't likely be affected... much.

 

[rjs987]

The March video update dropped on YouTube today.

They finally gave a teaser of a number on the specs achieved during the first ever actual road trip in the wild. For one thing, the vehicle used for the road trip is slightly less tuned for aerodynamic efficiency and also the base metal chassis/frame is steel (not a heavy casting of aluminum as I was thinking) so the resulting numbers will improve. It was found that the energy used for this trip came in at 122 Wh/mi = 276 MPGe. Compared to a Tesla Model 3 long range (a more efficient model) at 259 Wh/mi = 130 MPGe at best. This number is very slightly higher than the goal spec but not outside expected for a heavier than final production vehicle. The next 2 PI test vehicles that are being assembled now from existing parts in house will include the improved aerodynamics and the lighter production aluminum chassis/frame. It was announced that these next test vehicles will be used to nail down some more performance numbers and more accurate numbers using an independent company for evaluating the validation testing.