600 or 1000

@Don Daniels Yes, it is extremely harmful to Lithium batteries to run them completely empty, which is why every BEV has a built-in buffer to prevent that, so nobody needs to worry about it.

Yes, these batteries CAN charge faster when low, and IF it's fast (like 75kW+), the charge rate goes down (like to 50kW) as the batteries get full, HOWEVER, Aptera's current spec is 50kW max, so it may not slow down much, if at all, when it approaches full.

Does anyone know if you can upgrade the battery size later? I'd be interested in getting the smallest battery size and then putting in more batteries in the future. I think that batteries should continue to drop in price, so I'd want to wait about 5 more years and put the batteries in myself to get 1000 mile range. Hopefully by that time it wouldn't be as expensive.

I currently opted for the 600 mile version. If you try to keep it in the sweet spot of 20-80% charge for optimum battery life that is closer to 360 miles of slow speed driving, maybe 250 at freeway speeds. I live at 7400' elevation, so the air resistance is less up here than at Sea Level, but that is really getting into the weeds.

250 miles is still 4 hours driving, and by then you will need a potty stop and a bite of food. If you can charge 500 miles in an hour (Guessing that is with the 1000 mile range version, probably a bit less with smaller battery packs), that is really not much more than half an hour to go from 20 to 80%, so no biggy. For ultimate range with limited charging, you can charge to 100% and run as low as you dare, but I understand it is harmful to Lithium batteries to run them completely empty. These batteries charge faster when low, and the charge rate goes down as the batteries get full, so if there are plenty of rapid chargers along your route, drive down to 20-30%, charge for 15-20 minutes to get up to say 60%, and drive some more. Plus, every time you stop you get a chance to show off the car and possibly sell someone on placing an order under your account.

It's interesting how the suggested weight becomes an issue when there are several "sports " cars that only have 450lbs capacity. As for charging I have a model 3 and I get 5 miles for every hour on a standard 110V outlet and 15 miles on my 220V 16aH. For road trips I have chosen the 1000 mile with full solar.

I have a different viewpoint. My decision was based on happiness and not practicality.

I was first going to get the 600 mile range but changed it to the 1000 mile range. This is because I knew as long as I had the vehicle, I would not be completely satisfied because it was not the top of the line in terms of 1000 mile range. I would always be conscious of it. I did not want to spend $35,000 and not be fully happy. It was better for me to spend an extra $10,000 and be completely happy. Do I need the 1,000 mile range? Probably not. But I will be satisfied because I have it.

I don't think that Florida will be any harder on the batteries than Arizona or Texas. The higher the average temp and the higher peek temps will degrade all batteries faster.

As the suspension is stiffened to achieve the same ride height with heaver batteries it will also allow a little higher cargo weight to reduce the ride height as much as lesser cargo weight with a softer suspension.

@Heidi Strayer I'm VERY interested to know what experience of yours leads you to believe Florida is especially hard on batteries.

@David Marlow Probably increase the overall weight capacity, providing the same total cargo weight capacity.

While the extra weight of the 100kw battery will the 0 to 60 time, the suspension setup for the larger battery will probably actually somewhat increase the overall weight capacity.

I think it also depends on how long you want to go before replacing batteries, how much highway driving you do, and how hard your climate is on batteries. Aptera estimates a 2-5% per year battery degradation. From my experience our climate here in Florida is especially hard on batteries so I’m estimating I’ll be at the top end. I also do mostly highway driving so that makes the 1000 mile version realistically more of a 650 mile version (got to have that AC cranked). I’d like to get 10 years out of my batteries which would mean a 300-350 mile range at the end of battery life cycle which is about what I estimate I need For 95% of my transportation needs so I’m going with the 1000 mile version.

@kiteboarder Every EV sold in the US has an upper and lower buffer built into the battery - but most still advise keeping the SOC between 20% and 80% of the AVAILABLE capacity (not including the buffer). Tesla only recently raised their recommended maximum charge to 90%.

The fact is that the less frequently you charge an EV traction pack to 100%, the better it is for battery health and longevity. The larger the pack capacity, the more important this seems to be.

But, as I said, I was describing a worst-case scenario: I would very likely plan to charge the vehicle to 100% the night before undertaking a long trip - or a trip whose round-trip approached the pack's range limit without available charging en route.

The car's software will keep the battery below full charge, so there's little need to keep it below 80% of that. If you can do it easily, great, but it's especially not an issue if you just top it off right before a long trip. It's mainly REST at full charge that's not so good, but even then...:

My Fiat 500 EV charges to about 90% of its battery's full capacity. Most initial users had theirs sitting at full charge for at least half their life*. After 3 years of that, 2nd owners often do the same or worse. Yet battery degradation is barely detectable. Those who have measured it properly show about 2.3% per 10,000 miles.

* Leasing with no motivation to baby the battery. L2 chargers were pushed heavily by the sales teams, so the cars were typically recharged by 8pm, sitting until 8am, literally half their life at full charge.

As a layperson I would like to find out (as the models are developed) which model would function best for my needs. I want the quick acceleration for fun. I don't usually need much range, but I also do not just want the low end range. My questions evolve around design and basic function. Will the 40kw cool better than the 60kw model as there are less batteries to cool but the same amount of cooling line, or would the 60 kw be better because of slower drain on the batteries producing less heat? I anticipate the full solar package but will not make that decision until I sit in one with and without that back window blocked. Please do not guess at the battery answer, but if you really know I would welcome the input.

All good points. I should have mentioned that among my plans for the Aptera include long trips through the middle of nowhere in the American West, places sometimes barely have electricity, let alone charging stations. But even so, 600 is probably plenty.

I recall that, at some point - during one of the interviews - one of the Aptera "Big 3" mentioned that all ratings (mileage, capacity, etc.) were based on modeling the 1000-mile variant.

My state has one EA station - about 200 miles south of my location - and one, single Greenlots DC charger - about 200 miles north. Nearly all of my long-distance trips, though, begin to the east - and the closest DC charging in that direction is 300 miles away, in a neighboring state. A 600-mile Aptera charged to 80% is 480 miles - and 480 miles -20% for weather/heating/cooling leaves 384 miles. So, even in a worst-case scenario, the 600-mile pack has me covered!

All good thoughts here as we all have personal....present and possible future plans to consider. The good news is you are not locked into your choices at the reservation stage!

We are waiting to tweak our reservations “if needed”

(I have even spoken to one early reservation holder of a Paradigm Edition. That reservation holder plans to get that earliest experience, which he might sell (easily) if he wants something different. (He has other EV and has been in Electric vehicles for two decades!) Needless to say...He is excited about his Paradigm Edition)

For me in high mountain desert on several miles of primitive roads, although graded... Long daily commutes are not normal for me these days but I plan to warm up to cross county trips...

Full Solar, as over 40 free miles of range form this sun... is hard to ignore/waste.

here

60kWh , for me, as if I do the cross county I really do more than 600 miles a day. Remember you will not experience full range if you do not drive an EV responsibly ( e.g., acceleration), Extreme heat or cold, extreme elevation climbs, charging say up to only ~80 percent of range is healthier for the batteries, etc. So... less range anxiety for this new to EV person...😞

AWD for my primitive road “occasional needs. No snow to worry about here as ”if it comes” it is gone fast. But the AWD should complement stability.. Yes the 0-60mph rate will be faster ( not needed for me )

Off Road kit planned but waiting to hear confirmation if it is more than shorter wheel covers. More ground clearance expected🤞

You got to take care of your Best Friend! Right?! (Will my old girl be able to climb up steps into the cargo area??? TBD)

It “seems” you don’t want more than 200# over the cargo area suspension “for best ride”. So more to learn as they assess these weight limits. I plan 🤞 to drop a few poinds for me and the Aptera😉

I “assume“ the 100 kWh (1000 mi range) is 2200 # total with AWD but standing by for all confirmations. In wheel motors and batteries are the heavier items. Solar array weight in minimal we have heard.

Supercharger??? Boy that would be “icing on the cake”!

So with more Dev Vehicle under test and with an in person “look/see” on the horizon🤞 This all will become clearer ╮(╯_╰)╭ IMHO

Just a quick personal brain dump

Planning lots of very long road trips? No. Some? yes! While I'm hoping some as yet to be announced federal tax credits to take some of the bite out of the higher price, for me, the 1,000 mile version makes sense and I'm sure I'm not alone. That said, I want to pay off what I hope to be the last ICE I ever own so I can buy one around 2024. By then, a lot of the unknown will be known.

The 60 kWr model will accelerate faster LATERALLY too, which will help keep you from sliding off the nasty dirt road which might even have snow, depending on where in the northwest you are.

Also faster STOPPING than the 1000-mile model, on dirt or pavement, while dry, wet, or snowy.

Unless you can't charge at home and plan to have lots of very long trips in poorly serviced areas, I see no reason to get the 1000mi version.

I think they will have to do more testing before they know whether or not they have to limit the payload on the 100 kWr model. The 60 kWr model will be slightly more efficient and accelerate slightly faster if that makes a difference to you. We will be finding out a lot more about this as the prototypes go through their paces. By the way, we now have some pictures of Sol with more on the way!