Let's see the stories from the devoted followers of Aptera:
I first spotted Aptera back in 2008, was looking for something different in a hybrid, and it caught my eye. Plunked down my $500 deposit and had a mid 1000 reservation. I rode it out to beyond the end, and they finally ended up sending my money back. Not a month went by since then, that I didn't scour the interwebs for some glimpse of hope that it would rise from the ashes, and fly as it was meant to. (Metaphorically speaking.) I was knocked about by the possible China version, and Jonway as well, but nothing came fourth to my disgust. Then on that glorious day...A link, to WeFunder appeared in my desperate search attempts, and suddenly the sky was bright again. I bought in as an investor, and awaited the day I could put down a deposit. I almost delayed opening my email on the morning of Dec. 4th, but fate sat me down at my keyboard, and soon I was the proud owner of an early invoice for a Paradigm Plus. I keenly await the day when I can soar down the roads in the vehicle I have aspired to for so many years.
Is there a better review of Aptera history then these links?
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aptera_Motorshttps://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aptera_Motorshttps://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aptera_Motors
My story is very similar to Ozman, except, from my neck of the woods...
Back then, as a working resident in NJ, ordering an Aptera was not possible as the planned roll out was first going to be southern CA and move from there.😞
The >100mile range back then would have working with my RT commute to the office/home, with places to recharge....
But they still tempted me , when they did a road trip to Princeton NJ and I was able to get a ride in her..😁.
But she left me/ slipped away😞
Then after years (tears) of occasional searches..... in ~Aug 2019 Aptera renderings surfaced and WITH THE ORIGINAL FOUNDERS. With plans (before the unplanned pandemic😞) for a national and international launch. Could it get better than that?!😆
I “locked my sights on this dream” Retired now... I never owned a “toy/ trophy (vehicle) in my 49 years....The times are better for an EV and no EV out there may sense for me “for my ride” So never may that EV transition.
Fast Forward a decade.... an allowed reservation placed!
And CA is just next door now, not that it makes a big difference to order now. . But should the pandemic allow a on site visit in late 2021.. WOW!☝( ◠‿◠ )☝
So Yes,,,,maybe Dreams Do Come True!
╮(╯_╰)╭
I too was in love about a decade ago. Kept seeing pictures of the early concept of the Aptera in Popular Mechanics and a few car mags. My first interest in EV emerged in the late 90's when GM had their first electric car. There was a dealer in Sacramento, CA. I was even willing to use the lead-acid technology to squeeze out a few miles. What difference 2 decades makes. The new Aptera Paradigm is a very different car from the initial concept car of the 2010's. That was when the company President and CEO was Paul Wilbur. The first car had no opening side windows, ran on a 300 volt battery system and had one motor connected with half-shafts (like a Tesla). The motor was a 50 kW which produced about 55 hp. The motor was mounted centrally in the front subframe assembly. It has an air-cooled battery like an early Nissan Leaf. The car weighed 1700 lbs. The EVSE was built into the car as well as the charger since the only plug under the charge port was a male 120 volt common house plug. Of course at that time Tesla charging stations were just starting to get developed, but there was no way to road-side quick charge that version of the car. Now fast forward a decade to this new company. About the only thing that is similar is the body shell and possibly the rear swing arm. The front and rear lights have been redesigned, and the doors now have partially opening side windows. The biggest improvement are the individual hub motors. This now gives us many possible variations with torque vector control and anti-skid- limited slip possiblities. It could even be like a Rivian and spin around in its own length. The dash looks entirely different with a large central display and interface. The car can now connect to an EVSE and is rumored to take the Tesla charge adapter. But this early on who knows what agreements will be made. The battery voltage will be higher than 300 volts and I am only guessing that it will be between 350 to 360 volts, depending upon actual final battery chenistry. A Tesla Model 3 has a 350 volt battery while the S and X have a 375 volt system. These were both using the 18650 lithium ion cell. EV's will now be using a larger cell as well as possibly different chemistry. Lucid Air will be running a 900 volt system. I am only hoping that Aptera comes up with a temperature heating and cooling system for the battery, otherwise it may then copy Nissan Leaf's short life span battery. All we can do is hope for the best, this certainly is an exciting time for EV's.
Such a great story of passion. I had to think long and hard about needs vs wants, and the Paradigm and early delivery won out for me.