I think what is missing in this discussion over a third seat is the legal liability that Aptera might face if they were provide a 'hacked' space on the current model that could cost them a five-star rating in the crash testing.
I think we all understand that adding a third seat on this version of the Aptera would result in a 'seat' that would be limited in its utility as to the size of the third occupant - possibly a kid. ... but those doing the testing will test a 'standard' person in that third seat.
Indeed, if those crash testing were to use three 175 lb adults, the Aptera would be literally overloaded with a passenger payload of 525 lbs and a carrying capacity of only 500 lbs which no doubt would result in some technical failing.
The cool thing about our legal system is that you are responsible for your actions and while the local magistrate may fine you for rigging a third seat for a kid, Aptera's stance this vehicle is not a three-seater means that it is a warning you can't sue Aptera for your choice.
If they accommodate adding a third seat some how to this model, they would accepting some liability for whatever happens if the use of that space in that way in some way contributed to an accident.
For example, it may be that this third seat would work for an eight year old who is shorter than 5'2" but if you stand 5'5", the likelihood that the top of your head would be decapitated when it hits the rear glass in the hatch, Aptera could be held legally liable.
Now, if you personally go out and fabricate your 'third seat' for you six year old and mount it on the cargo deck, the only person who will stop you is the local police. And they probably won't care unless you intentionally placed someone in that 'rickety' third seat and intentionally wrecked knowing they're 5'8'' and at risk of of death and that's why you sat them there - murder :)
So here's where we are. Aptera says there is no practical SAFE way to accommodate a third person in the cargo area of the cabin.
If you rig up such a third seat, then you have to accept the responsibility for any injuries that third passenger would experience.
If it is essential you have three or four seats, I'd wait for the next model or buy a model that fits your needs.
Beyond that, if I were to come upon a group of four people wandering in the desert at risk of a sun stroke, I might offer them all a ride in my Aptera telling them to leave the hatch up and just arrange themselves as comfortably as possible as if they were in the back of a pickup. The best news is they have zero chance of dying of carbon monoxide poisoning.
I think what is missing in this discussion over a third seat is the legal liability that Aptera might face if they were provide a 'hacked' space on the current model that could cost them a five-star rating in the crash testing.
I think we all understand that adding a third seat on this version of the Aptera would result in a 'seat' that would be limited in its utility as to the size of the third occupant - possibly a kid. ... but those doing the testing will test a 'standard' person in that third seat.
Indeed, if those crash testing were to use three 175 lb adults, the Aptera would be literally overloaded with a passenger payload of 525 lbs and a carrying capacity of only 500 lbs which no doubt would result in some technical failing.
The cool thing about our legal system is that you are responsible for your actions and while the local magistrate may fine you for rigging a third seat for a kid, Aptera's stance this vehicle is not a three-seater means that it is a warning you can't sue Aptera for your choice.
If they accommodate adding a third seat some how to this model, they would accepting some liability for whatever happens if the use of that space in that way in some way contributed to an accident.
For example, it may be that this third seat would work for an eight year old who is shorter than 5'2" but if you stand 5'5", the likelihood that the top of your head would be decapitated when it hits the rear glass in the hatch, Aptera could be held legally liable.
Now, if you personally go out and fabricate your 'third seat' for you six year old and mount it on the cargo deck, the only person who will stop you is the local police. And they probably won't care unless you intentionally placed someone in that 'rickety' third seat and intentionally wrecked knowing they're 5'8'' and at risk of of death and that's why you sat them there - murder :)
So here's where we are. Aptera says there is no practical SAFE way to accommodate a third person in the cargo area of the cabin.
If you rig up such a third seat, then you have to accept the responsibility for any injuries that third passenger would experience.
If it is essential you have three or four seats, I'd wait for the next model or buy a model that fits your needs.
Beyond that, if I were to come upon a group of four people wandering in the desert at risk of a sun stroke, I might offer them all a ride in my Aptera telling them to leave the hatch up and just arrange themselves as comfortably as possible as if they were in the back of a pickup. The best news is they have zero chance of dying of carbon monoxide poisoning.