3/12/09 - Aptera Motors Goes To Washington

[NewsFromAptera]

APTERA MOTORS GOES TO WASHINGTON

With its all-electric vehicle set for Q4 launch, SoCal manufacturer
to update legislators about its American-made ‘aerodynamic marvel’
that gets the equivalent of more than 200 mpg


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VISTA, Calif. (Mar. 12, 2009) – The Obama Administration has established a goal for the U.S. transportation industry: put 1 million plug-in hybrid cars on the road by 2015; cars built in America that get up to 150 miles per gallon. In the fourth quarter of this year, Aptera Motors in Vista, Calif., just north of San Diego, will begin manufacturing its 2e plug-in, an all-electric three-wheeled two-seater that gets the equivalent of over 200 mpg, goes 100 miles on a single charge and has a top speed of 90 mph.

However, because the aerodynamically designed vehicle has a three-wheeled architecture -- which, according to Aptera engineers, improves highway efficiency by more than 25 percent due to lower resistance and weight -- the Department of Energy is not permitted to grant a loan. As a matter of law, the DoE is adhering to the Advance Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive Program, which makes funds available to support the development of fuel efficient vehicles – currently limited to four-wheeled vehicles.

“We’ve received financial backing from funders like Google and IdeaLab, and now we’d like to tell our story of breakthrough aerodynamic design and efficiency on Capitol Hill,” says Aptera President/CEO Paul Wilbur, a former top executive at Chrysler for 25 years.

“Aptera can change everyday commuter driving forever, and even though we’re a relative newcomer, we’re confident our vision, purpose and results will compel federal lawmakers to rally around our cause and embrace efficiency in federal policy.”

In fact, Congressmen such as Rep. Brian P. Bilbray (R-CA) and Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-CA) have introduced a new bill that would include companies that build ultra-high efficiency vehicles for consideration in the DoE’s loan program. H.R.1382, The Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive Act, opens the DoE’s loan program to closed cabin two- and three-wheeled vehicles that are capable of more than 75 mpg.

“By unlocking the door of federal funding to ultra-high efficiency vehicles,” says Aptera Chief Financial Officer Laura Marion, “companies like Aptera can compete on a level playing field with more traditionally designed vehicles, leaving the ultimate buying decision in consumers’ hands.”

The ultra-light 2e weighs 1,700 pounds, carries safety features such as a race car-like passenger safety cell, airbags and a front crumple zone, and has already graced the cover of Popular Mechanics as a recipient of the “Breakthrough Technology Award” for 2008, it’s a competitor for the coveted Progressive Automotive X-Prize and was named by Time magazine among its “Best Inventions of 2008.” Aptera management projects the 2e will cost between $25,000 and $40,000, depending on options, and with additional models and powertrains like the 2h (two-passenger hybrid) already under development, the company expects to create some 1,500 jobs and more than 100,000 vehicles in the next five years.

“The 2e is as safe as any car on the road, and its groundbreaking aerodynamics helps it to fly past fueling stations,” says Wilbur. “We’re taking a pair of our vehicles to Washington to show first-hand how great mileage and innovative technology have combined to create a vehicle that’s priced to fit within most family budgets. We’ll show how the 2e helps define energy efficiency and can be a valuable component of President Obama’s green economy.”

About Aptera

Aptera Motors (www.aptera.com), founded in 2004 to develop and build the safest, most energy efficient commuter vehicles on the road, begins volume production of its first vehicle, the all-electric 2e, in 2009. Utilizing streamlined aerodynamic design, lightweight composite structures and unique drive systems, Aptera (which means wingless flight) delivers vehicles that are attainable and efficient. The company operates two Southern California facilities in north San Diego County, where it designs, engineers and manufactures the vehicles and their composite systems to create an exceptionally strong, sleek body.

[perrydu]

I wish everyone would stop using the "200 mpg" figure. Even if you are charging with a windmill/solar panel you are not getting 200 mpg. This car has amazing specs without using any statistical trickery. Hybrids caused a lot of disappointment when they did not achieve real world mpg that the unrealistic EPA figures promised. I keep waiting for an electric car that will change a lot of minds, 100+ mile range, reasonable performance and price. People need to see their neighbor driving to work every day, shopping, cruising and doing little other than plugging it in each night. Then the demand will bring big sales to Aptera and dozens of other companies into the business of plug-in electrics.

Duane

[3WELECTRIC]

Originally Posted by perrydu

I wish everyone would stop using the "200 mpg" Then the demand will bring big sales to Aptera and dozens of other companies into the business of plug-in electrics.

Duane

Miles per "gallon" only applies to fossil fuel.

[jstdadd]

Originally Posted by perrydu

I wish everyone would stop using the "200 mpg" figure. Even if you are charging with a windmill/solar panel you are not getting 200 mpg. This car has amazing specs without using any statistical trickery. Hybrids caused a lot of disappointment when they did not achieve real world mpg that the unrealistic EPA figures promised. I keep waiting for an electric car that will change a lot of minds, 100+ mile range, reasonable performance and price. People need to see their neighbor driving to work every day, shopping, cruising and doing little other than plugging it in each night. Then the demand will bring big sales to Aptera and dozens of other companies into the business of plug-in electrics.

Duane

The Automotive X-Prize has defined a "Miles Per Gallon Equivalent" that takes the energy equivalent of a gallon of gasoline, and compares that to how far an electric vehicle will travel on an equivalent amount of energy. That is where "200 MPGe" comes from.

From the X-Prize website:

Originally Posted by Automotive X-Prize

“With an increased focus on fuel economy and environmental impact, the U.S. consumer is now looking to a high fuel economy standard, and we believe it is an achievable goal in the near term,” noted Don Foley, Executive Director of the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE. “Reliance on an MPG standard alone will soon be outdated and will not accurately reflect the need for higher fuel efficiency.”

The Progressive Automotive X PRIZE is a way for all vehicle makers to compete in real world driving conditions, and with our proposed unit of measure, MPGe – miles per gallon or energy equivalent – we believe we’ve found a way to test alternative fuels on a level playing field. Miles-per-gallon equivalent (MPGe) is a measure that expresses fuel economy in terms of the energy content of a gallon of petroleum-based gasoline. Basically we ask: how much energy was delivered to the vehicle, and how far did it go? We convert the energy to the number of gallons of gasoline containing equivalent energy, and we express the result as miles per gallon. Our goal goes beyond conserving gasoline, but also conserving energy of all types.

[KarenRei]

I can't wait to add gallons of electricity to my Aptera. Of course, I'll only buy premium, high-octane electricity; nothing but the best for my motor!

[jstdadd]

Karen: You are incorrigible.

Besides - you'll only be able to add half a gallon, since your 200MPGe vehicle has a 100 mile range ;-)

[bosborne69]

I read that it is coming out this October. Any other information on going about obtaining one?Does anyone have any info on the Aptera electric car?

[KarenRei]

Originally Posted by bosborne69

I read that it is coming out this October. Any other information on going about obtaining one?Does anyone have any info on the Aptera electric car?

Feel free to ask any more specific questions. As for obtaining one, you'll either need to get at the back of the waiting list or strike a deal to buy the car of someone who's on the waiting list but no longer wants or can afford theirs. As for October, there've been some delays. They're still trying to get the first one out by the end of the year, but it may slip until next year. Mass production is supposed to start next summer.

Unfortuantely, startup + revolutionary vehicle = delays. At least the Aptera Bill passed congress; that should send $75m of DOE funding their way next year.