Aptera+ ATV conversion kits= Electric Snowmobile?!

[Green_Primus]

Ist post!
Wanted to ask this ever since I first heard of the Aptera, I know its just a matter of time before this baby leaves SoCal.. With that, Just looking at it I have one question...SNOW and ICE!? Now I see a short throw to it being winter compatible, a simple ATV snowmobile conversion kit! And if you've never heard of such a thing, It simply is a kit that replaces regular ATV wheels with individual tank-like treads. Now LOOKING at the Aptera it looks like it has a simple motorcycle LIKE rear-wheel, now if you removed that rear wheel "fin" and swap in a "Kit" tread it SHOULD work right? Now obviously that cant be the ONLY change, but I think a simple front wheel Ski "collar" addition couldn't be THAT hard to come up with, with out hindering the function of the steering wheels. Grant it this is just ideas for when the Aptera goes national (dare I say global?) These questions ill need to be asked by someone and this seems to be a simple solution to the inevitable problem, right?

[Holz]

Welcome to the Forum. Please see Victoly's nice image posting on this as well as other discussion:
Here (http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/5499/snowapteraoi3.jpg)
Here (http://www.apteraforum.com/showthread.php?t=1154&highlight=snowmobile),
and Here (http://www.apteraforum.com/showthread.php?t=1154&highlight=snow)
The current prototype of the Aptera has front wheel drive.

http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/5499/snowapteraoi3.jpg

[Green_Primus]

Hey Thanx I put in a thread search for snow I didn't get anything helpful so I started this, but those where just what I was looking for.. Will the actual release include optional front or rear wheel drive? I believe rear wheel drive would be the better choice when it comes to a "snowmobile" conversion with rear tread power source with front "ski" steering?

Holz huh I know a family of Holz's (up here in MN) I wonder if any relation?

[NeilBlanchard]

Hi,

The 2e has front wheel drive -- it has had it for well over a year now. The rear wheel drive does not let you have regenerative braking, and it was not good on wet/oily roads, where the rear wheel would be on the "hump" in the center of the lane.

Front wheel drive also improves the location of the center of gravity. It is more stable and more practical with front wheel drive.

[Green_Primus]

NEW IDEA! just gonna use my 1st "Aptera conversion thread" for this,
Why so long since my last thought on modifying the Aptera? simply... I hate winter driving plain and simple, anyway here we go.
With the Aptera's minimal air resistance and its low weight I was wondering...

With the right modifications could the Aptera Fly?

Now before you start yelling NO! @ me, hear me out. I've been looking around at the webs countless examples of failed "flying Cars" I have found a design that has merit and looks fairly simple to "Bodge" on/into an Aptera design.

Here- parajetautomotive .com

Simply its an ATV with a Parachute bolted on, with a propeller sticking out the back (yes its much more complicated then that but that it in a nut shell.) Now regardless of power source (electric/small gas engine) Could this design be adapted to the Aptera? Grant it the stock shocks would have to be swapped out and some controls rigged inside, and some serious reinforcement structurally, but besides that, It doesn't seem to be much of an impossibility.. Right?

Admins~ Mind renaming this thread to

Aptera + conversion kits= More than Meets the Eye!

[PatQ562]

There are a few demonstration electric planes but the high weight of batteries really works against them. However - there are some SERIOUS multi-HP RC electric planes and vehicles bombing around at hobby prices - you can get a highly efficient 3000 watt brushless motor that weighs 1-2 lbs, plus a companion controller, for made-in-China pricing of a couple hundred bucks. What's frustrating is trying to get actual data - everything is couched in hobby terms ie "perfect for the XYZ monoplane" or the like. There's some web video on MIT-type kids souping up razor scooters with this technology.

The problem with flying cars is that cars are WAY too heavy due to crash protection, heavy duty brakes, amenities, etc. Including the current Aptera unfortunately, although they say they're working on weight reduction. Look up the Edison2 for a car that's built lightweight like a plane, but they're still only a prototype.

PatQ