Aptera almost eligible for Energy loans
Time to think differently about 3 wheelsAptera, and the makers of other three-wheeled vehicles, might soon qualify for Department of Energy loans.
On Friday, Congress passed a bill that allows "any manufacturer of enclosed three-wheeled vehicles that can carry at least two adults while returning at least 75 miles per gallon" to be eligible for some $50 billion on Energy loans for fuel efficiency improving projects.
President Obama is expected to sign the bill.
Labels: aptera electric vehicle, fuel efficiency
posted by Dahcredyns at
12:39 PM
10 Comments:
It's actually beginning to look like the Aptera might get built. I look forward to the day when we can actually go sit in the hybrid model and take if for a drive.
Not holding my breath, but am more hopeful today than last month.
Tom G.
yeah, i think it's going to happen.
I'm more skeptical. Who would be the typical buyer of this car and what would they be using it for on a regular basis?
Tom G. would buy one - you know, an old retried dude. Who knows maybe even a few of the younger generation if the price comes down.
In an earlier post I mentioned that this would be my 80% car. Great for going to the grocery store or short trips to work. Great to go the movies, out to dinner or Wally-world. Great for the short trip to Vegas if you had the hybrid model. But it CAN NOT take us to Disneyland with the grand-kids.
So yes it would be a nitch vehicle and how much is unknown at this time. Hopefully enough to keep them in business and allow more forward thinking companies like this to survive.
Tom G.
I can see my spell checker is not working - it must be retired.
well.. I'm not sure how big a market there is for quirky knock-around cars for us retired geezers.
When I look at that car, the first thing I think of is how long it will take to rip off one of those pod fenders..
at any rate.. what is the name of that weird little Dodge car that is similar to the Chevy HH2?
Oh yeah.. PT Cruiser.
The interesting thing about those cars is that they are quirky - and for some reason ..don't really appeal to the younger set... who go instead for the quirky Japanese vehicles like the Honda Element, Scion xB, Nissan Cube, and Kia Soul
or perhaps there is more misconception on my part...
Seems like I always see older people and geezers in the PT Cruiser and HH2.
what say you guys?
of course it would be a niche market for these vehicles, but in california that could be viable.
because they have 3 wheels they qualify for car pool lane access. that will definitely interest some consumers.
likewise, i think aptera is an example of thinking outside of the box and questioning the conventional designs of autos.
Qualified for the car pool lanes - sign me up! Well actually I would probably never drive it to L.A. to visit my sister because she would just call it my 'jelly bean' car. She is like that you know LOL
Off topic comment
Larry I saw your post [think if was yours] re' swamp coolers a few days back. Most of our homes here in the western part of Arizona still have the newer models with the thicker cardboard pads that eliminates most of the swamp cooler smell. However, by the time you figure in the cost of the water and the electricity it's almost a wash when you consider the newer higher SEER AC units.
re: swamp coolers
In my several visits to Arizona what impressed me was how hot it was in the sun and how reasonable it could be in the shade - even chilly if the wind quickens..
unlike the East where the humidity is icky even in the 70/80's sometimes.
How about whole-house Fans and white roofs?
it would seem to me that houses not cheek by jowl in the urban areas could be designed to take advantage of the low-humidity sometimes breezy locales of the SW US.
Almost everyone I guess has heard the old saying 'but it's a dry heat'. Well when it's 110 outside it's still hot LOL. However what you are saying is correct.
My patio roof is white, it is insulated to R-19 which isn't very much but can still be very comfortable up to about 100-105. If you jump into and then out of the pool, there is so little moisture in the air it will make you shiver.
Have some relative who still live in Minnesota and as beautiful as my home state is, I still suffer like crazy at 80 degrees and 70% humidity. After living in the desert for a few years you begin to love the dry air. We have no fleas, no dust mites and no mildew. It's just to dry.
In my not so humble opinion it beats the heck out of trying to start the snow-blower at 5:00 a.m. LOL By the same token don't try and take your dog for a walk after 6:30 a.m. either in the months of July, August or September. The asphalt is almost in a liquid state by 9:00 a.m.
Oh and before I forget yes we do have a bar out in the middle of the desert which is quite unique. It has what is know as a cooling tower [about 5'X10'X32' high]. Water is pumped up to the top, recirculated over some pads and then falls into the bar by natural convection - no electric blowers needed. It is open about 9 months of the year.
Tom G.
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