Alternative fuel Aptera?

[Chupacabra]

Maybe its just me, but I got to thinking about the entire reason and need for EVs and wondered why the hybrid aptera will run on gasoline instead of alternative fuels? We know the reason why they didn't want to go with Diesel, but how about Ethanol, or some other bio fuel? Then we could fully cut the chains that bind us to the oil industry, at least as far as refueling our vehicle go.

Why don't they install outlets in car ports so people who don't own a home with a garage can consider EVs? They'll need locks to keep energy theft and vehicle decoupling to a minimum.

Install solar panels on just about any upward facing surface?

Lastly, I saw this on a surfing forum I'm on and thought you would think it was really cool:

http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/02/11/artificial-energy-islands-to-produce-energy-and-meet-water-requirements-of-the-world/

[KarenRei]

1) Alternative fuels: they're (currently) not as great as one would hope, especially ethanol, especially corn ethanol. Cellulosic should hopefully be better for the environment. If I had to guess why they didn't make it flex fuel? I think it's likely that there simply isn't a very wide selection of tiny one-cylinder engines suitable for the task at hand ;)

2) Outlets: That's not Aptera's job; that's yours.

3) Solar panels: Unfortunately, solar power is very weak per unit area. More solar panels wouldn't make that much of a difference. The Aptera uses ~80-90 watt hours per mile at 55mph. On a perfectly clear day with the sun pointing straight at a given panel, the panel will receive about 1000 watt hours per square meter. Panels typically have efficiency of around 20%. Any angles at all reduce the energy by the cosine between the angle that the panel faces and the sun is coming from; at any given point in time, most of the panels will be angled way off. Then there's night to factor in on top of that. Net result, even if the Aptera was plastered in solar panels, it'd only give you perhaps 5-10 extra miles on a sunny day. On a non-sunny day, you'd hardly even notice.

If you want to charge your Aptera with solar, the way to go is with panels on your roof or as a carport.

4) OTEC: Doesn't sound as economically viable to me as EGS:

http://egs.egi.utah.edu/

The main problem with OTEC, that EGS doesn't have, is that you're dealing with very small temperature differences. Due to carnot's law, very small temperature differences mean very low generator efficiency. They also have to use ammonia, which is more expensive and corrosive than water. I also have trouble envisioning a time where, at least in most places, the extreme added cost of building and maintaining floating islands would be justified for wind, solar, etc. Although it's a neat idea, and may have applications offshore of overcrowded nations, such as in east/southeast Asia. After all, I've landed on an artificial island before -- an international airport near Osaka is out in the middle of the bay.

Personally, I think photovoltaics is going to sweep in the next couple decades. I really can't see how CIGS cells aren't going to completely revolutionize the power industry. But, you always want to keep your options open. :)

[Chupacabra]

Re #2 and 3, of course those are not up to Aptera.. they were suggestions for future constructed dwellings and even possible retrofits to make everything more "EV" friendly

[KarenRei]

I can so picture that, too, with the prices they're making solar cells for now. No guilt travel! :)