I hear and feel for my international friends on this topic but I am sure Aptera is listening as you are an important market who appreciated what they have created for us all!
I don’t have the confinement issues around parking in my life/travels these days (and I am the type of person that parks his vehicle in an open area of a parking lot and enjoys the walk to and from the store ( Sorry honey!) But does this offer any reduction of anxiety for just this one complaint parking alongside a curb?
i.e. if you have the higher Off Road wheel cover?
The idea is to clip on a bright color reflective retractable stanchion strap on the outdide wheel cover, pulling the strap to tail of the vehicle “ If you still have worries”???
Pull inside wheel up put just on the curb if space allows.
I realize this doesn’t help in many other parking situations...
The aptera gets two wheels and extendable support wheels (minimum width when parking and standing at traffic lights). The width is reduced to European dimensions and the risk of accidents due to the extra wide wheels is eliminated:
Should not be a problem if the front wheel gets sheared off. As long as the mounts on the frame of the car are not damaged, It would be an easy task to replace the control arms and hub motor, especially if Aptera provides right to repair. I bet the damage to the Hummer would be lot less, but would not be surprised if it's more costly. Any body damage to the Hummer would be far more difficult and costly to repair, and you would not really have the option of repairing it yourself, unless you have your own paint / body shop or have been monkey wrenching on vehicles since your teens. I am hoping that Aptera designs a weak link in the A arms to allow for the wheel to shear off without damage to the body/frame mounts. That may be pie in the sky right now, since development, manufacturing, and sales are the primary goals. Cheers.
Imagine that the left front wheel of the H1 hits the left front wheel of the aptera at 20mph.🤔
Oops! That's the big difference.
Damage h1: adjust the steering, damage aptera ... I don't want to think about it.
Those front wheels are going to be a real problem in my view. I've looked at all the other current/planned three wheels vehicle offerings. Aptera is a good 10 inches (255 mm) wider that the widest vehicles. I fear this is going to limit the appeal of this amazing vehicle. I thinking the Aptera would be my fun/sports car of my mid-life crisis. But at 18 inches wider than my Chevy Bolt EV - I have my doubts.
You got it, 1)aerodynamics (distance to body) And 2) yes for turning ( But torque vectoring may help there too)
But 3) stability too!
There are even telescoping reflective rods on the market, which people can access for placement on the wheel covers too, “When parked“ in a vulnerable situation”
But for me, being more of a minimalist... I wouldn’t “take on“ all this “stuff“ and just wait for their next platform of vehicles, “if” this was a real issue for me ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
But I like to read folks issues, inventor in me can provide “broad strokes”, which folks can finalize and take across the goal line to meet their personal needs. SCORE!
Do more with less complements Aptera design. So when I look at something like the Pet kit and 🤔weight = < range
If I need to carry a chair and also a ladder to help my dog get in...🤔 Why not turn my foldable chair into that dog ladder, to have just one item at lower total weight
Or...
If you don’t need a chair...
Use an expandable divider mesh/ barrier behind the seat made of a mesh / material that could double as a dog ramp
Stuff like that
I doubt Aptera will spend much time on accessories like the above, offering ”basics” from aftermarket suppliers
Sorry to go off subject
I am hoping my old dog will just slip in behind one of the front flipped seats???
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Since the wheels are below eye-level, I worry about the a little more than mirrors, but I take you point and appreciate the reply! One thing: I had heard in some of the promotional material that the wheels were set further from the "cabin" for turbulence reduction. What ae the other reasons? Clearance for turning? Again, thank you, Len.
A part of me does wish they'd have position the wheels a little closer even if the turbulence between them and the body reduced efficiency. I wonder what the difference is? It is gonna be rough trying not to get road rash when you are somewhat desperate to park as close as possible. I guess parking in front of a large truck is an option :)