$25 Cash Prize - How Will Aptera Change your Life and the World?

[admin]

Well, After spending $50 to fill up my Car this afternoon, I stopped in the Gas station and bought a $2 scratch-off and a bottle of water. To my surprise, I won $75 on the scratch-off. I was thinking I could spend it all on myself, or have a little fun with it here.

The Prize:
$25.00 via Paypal.com

The Contest:
It's simple, You will have until Next Sunday, April 13th at Midnight EST to answer the following question in at least 7 sentences:

If you were to own an Aptera Typ-1, how do you anticipate it changing your life, your families lives, and the world as a whole?

I will personally select the answer I feel is the best (if there are several I like I will randomly choose between them). Any Member of ApteraForum.com may enter this competition. Just reply in this thread with your response.

[butter]

aww, that's so sweet of you!

(will think up an actual response later)

[mmalc]

First, congratulations on your win -- coincidentally I spent $50 on petrol today as well but didn't think to get a lottery ticket... -- and thank you for your generosity. :)

To address your questions:

The main thing about the Aptera is that I hope it wouldn't change my life per se much at all. I wouldn't be spending $50 at the petrol station, and I'd plug it in at night -- and I'd have less or no need to switch the A/C on full when I get into it on a hot day, but other than that I'd look forward to doing all the same things in an Aptera that I currently do in my MINI. The most significant personal difference would be that I feel better about doing them because I won't be consuming as much oil, with all that implies.
I doubt it'd affect my family's lives much as my nearest relatives live a couple of thousand miles away. Perhaps if the wind's in the right direction Julian might breathe in an extra molecule of oxygen instead of CO2.
The world as a whole would barely be affected at all. And I mean that mainly in a good way... I applaud the steps Aptera appears to be taking to maximise use of low-impact and recycled materials in the vehicle and minimise the car's impact on the environment.
I appreciate that this would just be one small step, but I'd hope that when others see an Aptera go by it might give them pause for thought: Why might someone want to own a vehicle like that? What's the advantage of such a design? Do I necessarily have to drive around by myself in box made of a ton of steel with the aerodynamic characteristics of an armchair... Then perhaps the small step might turn out to be the flapping of a butterfly's wing.

[BoilertBuckeye]

Marketing awareness period. I have the wonderful opportunity of working at the largest undergraduate engineering and technology university in the USA. The impact of 10's of thousand's of engineering and technology folks seeing this awesome feat of engineering and technology talent being displayed on the first floor of an optimum parking garage at this university would add tremendous creditability. For the middle and high school children that see this vehicle would be awe-inspiring for sure. We are so very fournate to have young people in our community that love to learn, explore, and ask questions. Not all of course, but many. I can hear the questions now at the dinner table and those that ask when I see them on the street. If I would get the nominal resource, I would turn it over to a local church or mission for helping the homeless or distraught.

[KarenRei]

September, '09:

"VROOM! Chugga chugga chugga... Creak!" The car carrier pulls into the lot. 7 gas powered cars, simultaneously brand new and as obsolete as a horse-drawn carriage, shimmer in the sunlight in its bed, along with one pearl-white, landbound spaceship. My partner grabs my hand. One by one, the gasoline cars roar to life as they're unloaded into the lot. The driver enters the Aptera. Nothing happens for several minutes as he tries to figure out how to work it. Then, slowly, silently, it pulls into the lot, right next to us.

We hop into the Typ-1e and beeline for home, stopping only 186 times to show off and evangelize on the way there.

December, '09:

The snow lays thick on the parking lot, a fluffy white blanket that footprints have not yet sullied. The Aptera blends in like a snowshoe hare. I wave my hand, and my partner darts forth, racing across the snow, then drifts into a curve, twists, and races back. I pan the camera around, varying the zoom, changing focus, wheel to driver to flying snow. She takes doughnuts around the lot, then skids up next to me, jumps out, takes the camera, and I take it for a spin, getting used to how it handles on snow and ice.

The video is posted on YouTube the next day to convince people that it handles well in slippery conditions, cut to the tune of a Speed Racer remix. Within a month, the video has 40,000 hits; in three months, it goes viral and reaches 850,000. Nominated for a YouTube Video Award, it narrowly loses out against "Rockhopper Penguin Herds Sheep" by yoda3.0.

March '09:

With an aftermarket RV charger, we set out on a three-week, cross-country trip. Our parrot, Mal, quickly claims the back as his own, deserting his tree perch in the child-seat slot to try and find things to tear up. Each place we stop to charge, we spend time chatting with other people about the vehicle. Net results:

51 new EV sales
29 new Aptera sales
463 people would "strongly consider" an EV for their next vehicle purchase
2 attempted thefts of Aptera for a joyride, both would-be thieves giving the excuse, "I was going to bring it right back!"
16 people simply unable to grasp the concept that it has no gas tank.
23 times asked, "Will it electrocute me if I touch it?"
11,220 double takes on the road
921 friendly honks
11 adults convinced that there is a movie being shot nearby.
17 children thoroughly convinced that "the invasion" will come in three weeks, and that I am "merely a scout".

April '09:

After a quick call, I get a slot in the local Earth Day parade. It is an easy sell; I point out that I'll be using less energy while being out than I would by spending Earth Day at home so long as I shut off the lights, the TV, and turn the AC up a couple degrees.

The participants gather as the crowds start to show up. Behind me is a team of bicyclists promoting "complete streets". Ahead of me is a Prius. I hastily change the sign hung on the side of the Aptera to read, "I'm With Gas Guzzler", with an arrow pointing at the Prius. Net results of the parade:

123 new EV sales
54 new Aptera sales
1880 people would "strongly consider" an EV for their next vehicle purchase
1309 people pledge to "significantly reduce their impacts on the planet."
69% of those people actually follow through with it for more than a month.
3 politicians drive through 12 pieces of EV-friendly language, establishing 51 charging stations and 2 tax incentives.
24 children mob the vehicle
23 of them get to "ride in the spaceship"
"Rocket Man" is played 9 times.
30,000 polar bears suddenly get an inexplicable good feeling.

December '22:

The battery pack having gotten to the point where it only holds an 80% charge, and having just been given some money from my parents, my partner and I decide that it's time to look at getting it replaced. I hope on the net and check out the market. Having dropped to $0.20/kWh due to mass production and the low raw materials costs, a new lithium phosphate pack would only cost us $2k, which, amortized over the time that the pack lasts, would be almost nothing. Instead, we decide to spend $5k and get a newer pack with a layered cathode and silicon nanowire anode, extending the Typ-1e's range to 300 miles.

Also in December '22: Former EPA chief Steve Fambro wins the Nobel Prize.

April, '38:

With a mixture of sadness and pride, we donate our Aptera Typ-1e to a local car museum that had been seeking an early model of one of the EVs that launched the "electric vehicle revolution". The vehicle takes a place of pride, right next to a mint condition Hummer H2 that has a huge bucket of fake gasoline next to it to indicate how quickly it burned through fuel by comparison.

As we leave the building, we pause and take a minute to survey the parking lot. Soft electric whirrs approach and retreat on the nearby street as one EV after another passes by. The air is fresh and sweet. I smile.


--------

If I were to win, I'd spend my $25 on some LED bulbs. Always wanted to try them (saves even more energy than CFLs), and this seems as good a chance as any :)

[appyfan]

I know it's not seven sentences... So consider me a cheater. :rolleyes:

The Aptera would change my life because it would be changing other people's perception about the way they do things. It's really not so much about the car as it's about people's frame of mind. Changing someone else's frame of mind changes my own, and I seem to get off on that kind of stuff. Consider it the rebel in me.

[DavidHoff]

Wow! I wish I had only spent $50 on gas this weekend. I spent $112 to fill up a '90 suburban. Where is my Aptera when I really need it! I am glad it it rusting out and have an Aptera on order to replace it!
Enjoy,
Dave

[3-4-me]

Nice! Buckeye, pay it forward:cool:

Other than the obvious savings of $50-$60 a week at the gas station. I'll get the satifaction of driving by and thumbing my nose at the petroleum industry.
I hope the aptera restores the fun of driving, and the pride of owning such a unique vehicle.
While I don't consider myself an environmentalist, I can appreciate the statement that this car makes.
I look forward to the double takes and comments of the people that see it. My wife and I experienced some of that with my homegrown 3 wheeler, and there were some fun times.
Hopefully the rest of the world will see what this car offers and realize they don't have to drive 2 ton gas guzzlers to get back and forth to work.

[mmalc]

If I were to win, I'd spend my $25 on some LED bulbs.

I see "some" is the new "two" :)


Always wanted to try them (saves even more energy than CFLs), and this seems as good a chance as any :)

I have "some" that I got about six months ago. The best I could get was 40W equivalent, so they're too dim for much more than ambient lighting, but I'm happy enough with them in the bedroom.

You could put the $25 down as a deposit on one of these 60W bulbs (http://www.ccrane.com/geobulb/index.aspx).

[butter]

I see "some" is the new "two" :)

I have "some" that I got about six months ago. The best I could get was 40W equivalent, so they're too dim for much more than ambient lighting, but I'm happy enough with them in the bedroom.

You could put the $25 down as a deposit on one of these 60W bulbs (http://www.ccrane.com/geobulb/index.aspx).

Wow, those look AWESOME. Wish I had $100 to burn, but for now I'm "stuck" with my CFLs. I agree with you on the LEDs -- too dim, not very useful.

[mmalc]

I agree with you on the LEDs -- too dim, not very useful.

I think much hinges on the tone of "very" there. :)
There certainly are some places where the current LEDs are of use, but they're not at the moment as generally useful as CFLs.

That said, for the sake of it I just put in an order for one of the Crane LEDs to see what they're like. I'll try to remember to report on it when it arrives -- somewhere in the off-topic forum.

[wwwtractor]

If you were to own an Aptera Typ-1, how do you anticipate it changing your life, your families lives, and the world as a whole?

When I have my Aptera I will be able to dispense with a lot of maintenance using gasoline, grease and oil with the exception of a minimal amount as needed by electric motors, bearings, and suspension. I will be able to spend more time with my family and less time on car maintenance. All of my neighbors would be more in awe of the new car than they are of my current Honda Insight with which I have been able to get over 70 miles per gallon of gasoline with the continuously variable transmission. The neighborhood and world will be much quieter with electric cars whirring around. Pollution can be decreased with more of the charging of vehicles done by solar cells and centralized sources of electric power. I know that it is time for an advanced composite construction method and aerodynamic shape like the Aptera to replace the age old designs that we currently have available in order to make the world a safer, quieter, and less polluted place for our families. I am an engineer and a registered nurse and I enjoy talking about new technology to people and demonstrating it to them when it can make the world a better place as more people use it.

[KarenRei]

Re, LED bulbs: I buy light bulbs on Ebay, so I'll get a better buy. There are a number of options at Ebay prices. And of course, I always look at the number of lumens.

I have some track lighting that's missing a CFL that I could try it on.

[qpham63]

[QUOTE=

[COLOR=Blue][B]If you were to own an Aptera Typ-1, how do you anticipate it changing your life, your families lives, and the world as a whole?

QUOTE]

It has already changed my and my son's life. We are not skeptics. It will change the lives and the views of those around us though.

My son and I was watching the "Discovery Channel" this Saturday when I got a phone call. I went out to the garage to take the call as it was a friend who is helping me design my fairing for my electric assisted power trike who needed some more dimensions...My son (almost 9 years old) ran out to the garage screaming "BO...BO..." (this = DAD...DAD in Vietnamese) our Aptera is on TV. With him screaming, I have already started running in as I thought he got hurt or may be April (his early B day present, a miniature poodle mix) somehow to find the last second of an ad or something on the discovery channel of the Aptera as it fades away.

Looking at me, Quyen said "I can't wait until you drive me to school in our Aptera". He emphasized the word OUR. The thought flashed through my mind, I have done an adequate job in showing him that you don't have to be like everyone else and that getting dropped off in an Aptera is more cool than getting dropped off in an H2.

Since he was 2, I have ridden him around in a baby chair mounted to my recumbent trek assisted with an electric hub motor powered by SLA batteries. I moved up to a recumbent tadpole trike, assisted with the 500W Cyclone motor powered with Li-ION battery pack recently but have not been able to take him to or pick him up from school with one of these contraption towing a trailer as he is almost 5 feet tall and is fast approaching 100 lbs. Too big for a bike trailer.

He has stated that getting picked up with the electric assisted trike was the best day of his life as he gets to brag about how the trike work to his classmates the following school day. He is eyeing my trike and stated that his legs just has two inches to go before he can ride the thing himself.

We are embarking on a head out fairing for the trike to make it comfortable in fair or foul weather. We are going to get busy on this through this coming summer. What more can a father of 1 ask for in a son?

[MattV]

The concept of owning an Aptera is already changing my life, long before I take possession of my very own slice of the future. My excitement over this revolutionary vehicle has re-awakened in me, the idea that we don't have to settle for that which is familiar and comfortable.

How will actually owning and Aptera change my life? Well, my hope and anticipation is that it will further drive my imagination, and thirst for learning about better ways of doing all manner of things.

As for my family, it will certainly have a social impact, at least in the short term. We will become "Those people with the funny/weird/cool (choose your favorite Aptera adjective) looking car!". Our friends, neighbors, and random people on the street will want to find out all about our unique vehicle. And as the cost of fuel will be much less of a concern, we will likely be compelled to drive around more.....just to drive and take in the scenery.

Only time will tell what impact owning an Aptera will have on the world as a whole, but I can see subtle changes in my little corner of it. Again, sparked by curiosity we'll see some degree of increased social interaction. People that you may never have otherwise spoke to, will allow their sense of wonder to override their social apprehension. Maybe just the idea of the Aptera, will lead people to think "What if?" about all sorts of things that impact their daily lives. One day it's a 300mpg hybrid vehicle, and the next it might be a wireless electricity grid that allows fully electric vehicles to travel across any landmass, without the need to stop and re-fuel.

I guess we'll just have to wait and see :)

[MarrInLA]

I will finally be letting go of the biggest pull in my life that contributes to blood for oil in Iraq. It will be the most significant way to actively protest the war. I will also know that in addition to my vegan diet, I am making a sizeable dent in decreasing green house gases. I will finally be driving a vehicle that matchs my ethics and values. I don't even know how I'm going to make it work, as I rent & park on the street, but I'm working on solutions for that because a functional EV is finally a reality--something I've desperately wanted, & watched for, for so long. When I bought my VW Golf in '00, I was crushed that I couldn't afford a Prius, and was so unhappy I had to give in to another regular gas car, that I couldnt even enjoy having a new car. I promised myself I would never buy another petroleum car ever again.

[KarenRei]

Hey, if your landlord doesn't complain, you could always just run a long extension cord out from your place to the street ;) Assuming you don't park half a mile away or something.

[Dilekz]

Geez, when i read these story's. I really think there is going to be a huge warm heart arround the aptera. Some kind of feeling that you wouldn't have with a normal car.

It sounds more like a pet. :) haha ..

How the world changes arround you? i think this design is just a good thing. Because people think like wow.. is that possible? it looks strange.. but also cool.

Just driving arround in a electric aptera.. :D on a sunny day without thinking about your car breaking down.. ( i have this feeling with normal car.. everytime i step on the gas peddle something in the engine could break :D etc.. )

And i think there will be this kind of "aptera" club.. that comes once a year in the summer on a certain place and meet :D etc..

[KarenRei]

Geez, when i read these story's. I really think there is going to be a huge warm heart arround the aptera. Some kind of feeling that you wouldn't have with a normal car.

It sounds more like a pet. haha ..

Come on... how could you not love a face like this? :)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2296/2195489131_8d1ffbd746_b_d.jpg

Seriously, I think a lot of us have had an antagonistic relationship with gasoline vehicles for various reasons (if we didn't, would we be here), from maintenance to noise to poor aerodynamics to environmental damage to oil imports and where the money goes and so on. Suddenly, we're going from vehicles that cause all sorts of "bad" to vehicles that, if we spent an extra $5-$15k (depending on where you are and how far you drive each day), we could charge from the sun alone. Vehicles that use less power when you go on errands than you'd save by turning down your AC a couple degrees and shutting off the lights when you leave the house. Vehicles that could even *save* us money overall rather than costing us money. Vehicles that, additionally, have all sorts of nice new features and a look straight out of sci-fi.

What's not to like about a car that can do all that for you?

[hbonwit]

If I were to own an Aptera Typ-1, how do I anticipate it changing my life, my families lives, and the world as a whole?
\\

The real strength of having an Aptera Typ-1 is through the communities that I serve. Currently, in conjunction with a homegrown non-profit science education company, I'm able to share my understanding of engineering and science with young students and their parents through our innovative "Family Science Courses." At these meetings, students enjoy hands-on experiments that reinforce, as well as exceed their classroom learning experiences. One of the highlights for me has been working with high school students this past summer as they created an "Energy City" where different teams took a 21st century approach to power generation, lighting, and of course transportation. When I pull up in an Aptera Typ-1, eyes will light up and minds will be expanded! Of course my cross- Los Angeles drive times will be lessened by using the HOV lane, my wallet would feel the savings, and my carbon footprint would be reduced! Let the kids learn that science is exciting, and that they have the power to shape their future -- and that it's allowed to look like a raindrop!

Best,

-Holden

[Dilekz]

OMG karenrei... what a lovly picture :D It really has a great smile!

[ApteraFan]

How will the Aptera change my life and the world?

The most important thing about the concept is that it presents solutions to many different problems. I will be proud to be part of the wave of innovators to help demonstrate a new way of living. Since I have PV solar panels on my home, I already produce my own electricity. Incorporating an Aptera into my household closes the system to where I can stand up and say with conviction that I no longer support foreign enemies of this country. I won’t need but a fraction of the gasoline I currently have to buy, and I can be picky as to which gas station chains I buy from.

It will be comforting to know that my driving isn’t polluting the air with smog. I’m looking forward to clean and quiet city streets. The Aptera is going to change the world. Finally a quality car which is made in America by a new kind of car company. There are larger ramifications like our trade deficit and more domestic value-adding jobs. This concept is truly revolutionary, and it is the most exciting breakthrough in the automotive industry since the gasoline engine was invented.

[Dolphyn]

Re, LED bulbs: I buy light bulbs on Ebay, so I'll get a better buy. There are a number of options at Ebay prices. And of course, I always look at the number of lumens.
I bought some LED bulbs on Ebay about a year ago, from a seller in Hong Kong, and I will say that the quality of light produced was *completely* unacceptable. I mean, hideously unpleasant light! I almost threw them out, but I decided I could put up with them in the garage.

[DaaMom]

I have raised my family of four children and have been through my share of gas guzzling station wagons and mini vans. I absolutely love the sleek look of the fuel efficient and energy saving Aptera. I don't even mind the one color! It would be a perfect vehicle for me with getting around town and commuting. I think that this vehicle will turn heads and begin to change the way the world looks at transportation as a whole. We are ready for some serious green changes and I think Aptera fits the bill!:)

[KarenRei]

I bought some LED bulbs on Ebay about a year ago, from a seller in Hong Kong, and I will say that the quality of light produced was *completely* unacceptable. I mean, hideously unpleasant light! I almost threw them out, but I decided I could put up with them in the garage.

Warm white or bright white? I was going to go with warm, hoping for a softer glow.

[DaaMom]

I'm laughing at all of the posts about the sci fi look, "how weird", "too small", "looks like sperm", etc. of the Aptera. Maybe I'm aging myself, but that is what they said about the VW bug many may years ago and guess what? It is back again stronger than ever.

I would think twice about making any other comments. LOL
;)

[Hockeynow70]

Warm white or bright white? I was going to go with warm, hoping for a softer glow.

KarenRei,

On the subject of LED lamps, you may also be interested in looking at THIS LAMP (http://www.delta.com.tw/press/press_detail.asp?sid=1&id=318).

LEDs have come a long way in recent years, thanks mainly to CREE, Osram and LumiLEDs. Finally, they are approaching the efficiency of CLFs and even HIDs. But with the flexibility and dimming capability of incandescants. The final hurdle to leap is $/lumen compared to competitive technologies. But they're getting close there as well.

Now, on with the normal discussion...

[admin]

Gotta say there were a lot of great responses here. There were a few that were in the running, but I chose: KarenRei (http://apteraforum.com/member.php?u=87) as the winner. Please PM me your paypal email address.

Thanks :)