While I understand the Aptera is being designed in California, it is also my primary concern. Unlike California here in the mid-Atlantic we have the curse of potholes, winter weather, and often rougher roads.
Will there be refinements and road testing in the Northeast, Upper-Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic where road conditions can often be a bit more treacherous. Also have these been foreseen in the way it is designed and handles. My biggest fear is a wheel just breaks off because it hits a bad pothole, or the covering gets damaged considerably.
Now mind you I have mine pre-ordered with the off road package for this reason alone. But this is a big reason I am still very much on the fence about getting one.
If I held a front wheel enclosure in my hands, I think it would much more resemble a skirt. I get that there are two, so yeah, pants, and it makes sense to easily differentiate between front/back covers. (First world problem.)
It is rare for a pothole to tear up a wheel on any vehicle to the point that it detaches and flies away. I doubt it will occur any more often on the Aptera.
In regards to negotiating potholes and rough roads, the roads here in Colorado enroute to my workplace have enough potholes and cracked pavement that I will be able to submit a hands-on report almost immediately after purchase. I live on a dirt road as well.
My biggest concern is the wheel skirts being easily detachable. Winter driving will fill those suckers full of muddy slush that will soon freeze into a tire encasing block. At least the skirt moves up and down and rotates side to side with the tire when turning, unlike a traditional wheel well, so it might not be quite as bad an issue as on my Toyota Yaris. Still, temporarily removing them quickly and easily during our worst winter storms would be ideal. Maybe with just one or two bolts. Preferably some sort of locking lever design.
While we have some of the highest gas taxes in the nation, we still have our share of potholes in California. I am only slightly concerned with the clearance of the wheel pants. I am more concerned with changing my driving habit to closely missing a pothole with the front wheel so as not to hit it with the rear (center) wheel. But I am looking forward to gaining that experience!!!
@Christine Paluch Have you had many wheels break off due to potholes?
That official Aptera FAQ spreadsheet is at: Click Here & search is with Ctrl+F (for "Find") or for Mac it's cmnd+F.
Those tires have fairly high sidewalls, which is what really counts for potholes, & last I heard (recently) they are standard off-the-rack, NOT LRR.
Just because the very strong suspension arms aren't hidden from view like other cars doesn't make them any weaker. They may actually be stronger for its weight. Take a look at your own car's suspension, likely with some relatively weak welded pressed steel components that are still strong enough to sustain tire-ruining potholes.
The Founders recently spoke of how a very severe pothole could ruin the tire, probably less likely than most cars, since Aptera is so light. An even worse pothole could ruin the wheel, & it would take an even worse one than that to damage the motor.
If the "wheel just breaks off" with less impact than that, there couldn't ever be any motor damage from a pothole. The wheel would just bounce away. It doesn't. It stays attached even with enough pothole impact to ruin the lightly-loaded tire, & even the wheel.
I always encourage folks to read the answer “direct from the Aptera Team”,
some of your concerns are discuses within. Search🔍 FAQ
IMHO
I lived and drove on the central east cost for over 40 years, so I know potholes but you are not alone....they are even hear in the SW. I have primitive roads here, which was not as commonplace “ back east”.
Some things I recall in answers and videos from/with Aptera that may be ways they are addressing this concern.... to name a few include:
👉 Stardard size 195 45R 16 tires are planned although they may assess a slightly larger “215” tire for the rear.
👉There is a maximum payload for the Aptera of 500# with 200# over the rear wheel “ for best ride” BUT all being tested, so.... stay tuned.
I too have the Off Road kit ✅ with hope that it offers some advanatages. Although they may leave it up to the buyer to choose tires other than the Low Roll Resistant tires ( TBC )
👉Wheel covers are suppose to be inexpensive if there is an accident