Aptera officially launches futuristic, super-efficient three wheeler

The innovative, “always-on” climate control system is powered via solar cells embedded under the roof. The energy generated by the cells is stored in the main batteries and the same amount (or less) is taken out to run the air conditioning. The system has a two-fold benefit as Fambro explains: “By keeping the car always cool we are able to use a much smaller airconditioner, it weighs less, costs less and takes much less energy. While you are parked or while you are driving the same heat from the solar gain is collected before it actually gets to the cabin and piped out the rear of the vehicle. Because the system runs while you are parked as well, the advantage is that you never get into a car that's more than one or two degrees above ambient temperature, it's always relatively cool.”

Interestingly, as an unintended side effect the process of taking the heat from the olar gain and the electronics and piping it out the back (via two vents positioned beside the license plates) was also found to lower drag as the car moves along the highway.

Other features include an advanced drive computer with GPS navigation, CD/MP3/DVD player, XM satellite radio, complete vehicle diagnostic system, a USB port for powering electronic devices, LED interior and exterior lighting and an RFID (Radio Frequency ID) system that recognizes the driver so you never have to pull out your keys to enter or start their vehicle.

Into the future

Both models of the Aptera Typ-1 will be available for less than USD$30,000 - the electric version is set for delivery in 2008 with the hybrid model to follow. Reservation deposits of $500 are now being accepted from California residents on the Aptera website (http://www.aptera.com) and more than 400 pre-sale deposits have already been made.

According to Fambro the immediate manufacturing goal is to achieve volumes goal of 10,000 a year within 3 years, although internally there are even more aggressive predictions. This is not a large number by automotive industry standards but without the capitalization costs of the big players, Fambro says that the volumes will be more than enough to make the company profitable with plans afoot to extend the Aptera brand beyond U.S. shores. Other markets deemed suitable for the Typ-1 include Canada, Australia and New Zealand where the relatively spacious roads would suit the footprint of the design. In Europe and elsewhere variations are that could include four-wheel, four- seater models but as Fambro explains, future versions will strive to retain the Aptera's distinctive look: “You'll know its an Aptera”.

Into the future, Steve Fambro believes that people and companies will eventually begin changing their habits to take into account the importance of energy consumption, and Aptera intends to remain at the forefront by adhering to its focus on efficiency and safety. "By changing the fundamental design constraint of the company from the very beginning - making it all about energy and safety - that design ethos is in every design element that we do. Towards the future it's about energy in all forms, lithium is not easy to get either and we don't want to leave one drug for another drug - oil for lithium - we are rethinking how we use the energy radically differently and will continue to make that a core part of the product. All companies in transportation of any kind will eventually have to make that conscious decision".

Noel McKeegan