I rent Tesla Model 3s. I get constant rim damage. Yes, tires hang less over the rim than many cars and therefore the rim gets it first before the rubber could have protected it.
I question the visibility to the front covered wheels, height off the ground and how to protect or eventually repair that cover. Maybe proximity Sensors or cameras could and should be implemented if not already? Make Rim damage a thing of the past!
There's some more discussion on this here:
Bumper guards for the wheel base?
The questioon to me is, Can you see where the edge of the car is? Can you see that right, front wheel wheel from the driver's seat? If you can see it with your eyes while you park, or you have a camera view, no problem. If not: problem.
I'd like to see a driver's eye view image of what they see out the window while driving. Can you see those wheel "pants" or not?
Well, it wouldn't be a Tesla without curb rash.
Given how wide the Aptera's stance is, I am a bit nervous about smacking something with one of the front wheels. Lots of road construction where I am and they can make some narrow lanes. I'm not so much concerned of cover damage (they can be removed), but damaging somebody else's property or causing mechanical damage to the suspension/steering.
Having twice made the same mistake as Tesla, with tires that are too narrow to protect the rims from curbs, I now know to avoid that. The wheel covers themselves would be an issue, but since 250 miles is WAY more than nearly anybody needs, for daily use I'd prefer these slightly-higher-drag fenders if they were an option:
Maybe fog lights mounted on the front wheel covers will be an idea, they can give extra light when cornering too.
I hope the front wheel covers will be visible in the night to prevent a collision.
Agreed, but tire rim rash would be the least of my concerns as the front wheel cover will be the first (and most expensive) thing to go. The front wheel covers look like they are extremely vulnerable even if sensors were implemented.