I have read multiple times that the Aptera is designed for a maximum payload of 500 pounds. Why is this the case? It seems like a very low maximum. This seems like a very low limit. For example: According to healthline.com, the average American male over the age of 20 weighs 197.9 pounds. Observing this limit, if two average-sized mendrove an Aptera to a farmer's market, bought a bushel of apples, a peck of tomatoes, a 20-pound bag of potatoes, a 10-pound bag of onions, and a watermelon (average weights for the apples, tomatoes, and watermelon), the driver would be forced to leave his friend at the market to drive his relatively modest produce purchases home.
Also, the same two men could not travel with three average sized suitcases.
Is there any way to make accommodation for more than 500 pounds of payload? If not, what are the consequences of occasionally exceeding the limit?
I think the primary answer is that keeping the weight down is critical to achieving the range figures. The lighter battery vehicles may have more payload capacity. We will have a lot more information about this as the validation tests are performed.