Aptera has a new motor - Big Update! #aptera

The speculation was correct! Steve Fambro explains the new Launch Edition

The following are affiliate links. We make a small commission on any purchases.

DTL AMAZON ITEM OF THE MONTH
JULY 2024 - For the DTL Family Cats!

JUNE 2024 Affordable E-Bike!

[davesweany]

Right now I'm number 500 something in the launch edition and when I will receive it and drive it and later on when the 3 wheel motor and heated seats and all the extra goodies come I might want to resell my old launch 8:21 edition If anybody else is interested Maybe you would want it to hit me up for the old launch edition Aptera 🎉

[stuwilliams]

I'm curious about the range estimates with the new motor

[MrBnuchow]

Will turn 70 in 2024, 71 2025, still going strong cancer free in remission after 18 years. Definitely keeping my 16 990 reservation spot, looking forward for whatever Aptera is able to produce for me and Mama to finally drive and ride in.

[Peoples_Republic_of_Cotati]

The solar aspect is most important to me.

[wrouurb]

A few days ago, I pointed out that the Aptera website still listed an all-wheel-drive LE variant. Reflecting on this now, I realize it was more of a hopeful observation on my part. After listening to your input today and hearing Drew from Tailosive, I took a moment to reconsider why I’m purchasing this vehicle. It became clear that there are several reasons for my decision, with an all-wheel-drive system being much lower on my list of priorities. I'm keeping my order and like you pointed out, I'm probably going to be moving up the queue. I appreciate you guys and your embracing Aptera's vision. Thank you.

[Fairburne]

I still WANT to buy a Launch Edition Aptera. But I have so many questions.

Winter weather performance, crash testing and price. Once those questions get answered I will make my final decision.

I made my reservation in March so I'm in rhe 40, 000+ club. Even with cancellations I have time.

[Russwig]

I'm up for it! Give me my Aptera!

[dave]

I want it now. I'll take it whatever way they make it.

[a--cts]

There are several reasons why I'm relieved that Aptera is opting to set aside (for now) the in-wheel drive train in favor of the Vitesco single central motor FWD drive train:

1) Unsprung weight: We've only heard about the issues of harsh ride and more wear/tear of suspension caused by in-wheel motors. But there is a real issue of rolling efficiency with high unspring weight. Picture a 1/2" thick (tall), 2" wide and 20 foot long piece of plywood laying across the road. It represents a 1/2" bump on the road. Now picture an empty 50 gallon steel oil barrel weighing 20 lbs, rolling towards this piece of wood at 2 mph. Because the empty barrel is only 20lbs, it will bounce right over the wood upon impact. But that impact will slow the rolling speed of the barrel to less than 1 mph after it goes over the wood.

This is because the energy taken to lift the 20 lbs barrel over the wood was taken from the rolling velocity of the empty barrel.

Now do the same thing but this time fill the barrel with water so it is now 120 lbs. This time, the barrel will not make it over the wood because the energy required to lift 120 lbs vertically 1/2" is much greater than the slow 2mph rolling speed of the barrel .

So it will be with in-wheel motors. No roads are glass smooth. Every little bump will sap forward motion energy from the Aptera to lift the heavy in-wheel motored wheels over these road imperfections. This energy will be taken from the energy used to propel the Aptera forward. I.e. with rough city streets, not only will the in-wheel Aptera be a rough ride, it will take a lot of power to get across town.

But if the wheels are light relative to the mass weight of the car, the bump will only move the light wheel upwards (not the entire car). The upward energy will be stored in the car's spring. After it passes the wood, the spring will release it energy by pushing the wheel back unto the road after it passes the wood. This will result is much less loss of forward motion energy.

2) High Voltage Power Lines and Motor protection: With in-wheel motors the 400-800 volt cables are constantly being flexed and subjected to internal and external friction as the wheels go up and down and are swiveled back and forth for turns. As the cables pass from the body to the wheel the wires are protected only by the plastic shroud. This shroud must protect the cables from high-speed impact of sand, water, rocks, pebbles, snow, mud etc.

Any time the in-wheel motor itself is to be serviced, everything must go though thorough cleaning process, and inspection of power and coolant lines.

But with central single motor, the motor and power lines can all be shielded/sealed and never have to flex. and are not subject to the elements. There is little cause or need for periodic inspection/servicing.


3) Maintenance: The FWD drive system is well established with supply of proven components such as control arms, CV joints/boots, sealed bearings, tie rods, brake/hub, wheels and tires. All engineering factors have all been established with these drivetrain components long ago.

Instead of two motors to maintain, there is only one that is well protected and shielded from elements.

There are so many established drive train/brake/alignment shops (like Midas, GoodYear, etc.) who all will service the Aptera with this high wear/tear/maintance drive train automotive industry.

But they will all refuse to service the Aptera once they remove the wheel and see a 400-800 volt electric motor staring at them in the face with orange power lines running out from it. Even though they were assured that there is no residual capacitance voltage present, the is the liability issue of working and affecting parts that are in close proximity to high voltage lines and electrical motors. (E.g. if after leaving Midas for an simple front-end alignment, one of the in-wheel motor cuts out, who's to say that the work of Midas indirectly caused this?)

Last, but not least: The Vitesco's EMR power train is already being used extensively by several other Car manufacturers. Familiarity = plentiful maintenance/parts/service worldwide.


5) Efficiency: Yes the in-wheel motor approach technically offers the most direct and efficient transfer of power to the wheels. ICE cars lose power each time the power changes direction (especially through the transmission, the torque converter, differential, and the angle of the drive shafts that are not in-line with the wheels' center axles. But an EV motor does not need the ICE car torque converter or a transmission (both of which are by far the biggest causes of ICE car powertrain power loss). Instead, only the differential and the drive shafts remain. If the differential can be positioned as close as possible to the line between the middle of the front wheels, there is not much loss of power through in the Vitesco's power train setup.

6) Free-wheeling: Because the Aptera is so light, even a small amount of rolling resistance will affect range and efficiency. As learned from e-bikes, the magnetic drag from the permanent magnets of the motors is a real factor in rolling resistance. If the very aerodynamic Aptera can roll freely without the encumbrance of 2-3 motor's magnetic drag, it could coast for many more miles on the highway. But with in-wheel motors there is little chance of "turning off" this magnetic drag. On the other hand, with the traditional FWD/central motor configuration a "clutch" or "neutral" could be fitted to disconnect the motor from the wheels will achieve freewheeling-coasting. Conceivably one could get 10% more highway range (or more) this way.

7) Weight Distribution and traction: Remember with only a single wheel in the rear, and forward weight distribution most of the Aptera's skewed to the front. With its low 2, 000 vehicle weight I'm curious to see how the Aptera LE will perform in off-road and snow even as a FWD (in lieu of AWD).
Note: there are already traction control systems available for the central motor FWD/differential setup. Usually implemented by auto-sensing unwanted wheelspin, and automatic applying brake on the spinning wheel to transfer power to the other wheel.

[elertus]

So nice to see your smiles back! 
My LE price dropped to $30, 700 BUT it doesn’t mean anything… The price has been moving as things have been changing. It was never a firm number.
I’ll buy your coffee but…You’re not getting my reservation! I’m still in !  And you two are young so can wait more than ( old ) Len . If I control my aging 😉… maybe, next, I will get my Aptera 60 kWh AWD full solar, Sol white and Vida interior, with open pilot.
NOW I am thinking the LE will be more like my old fun Honda Civic Si, a manual six speed, ~200hp, FWD. 0-60mph in 6.6 sec. Low GC. And it was a light vehicle(~2700#). My 160, 000 miles realized on that was in NJ, so “my MI friends”….I used two front wheel snow tires seasonally and because it had so much torque I started in second gear to minimize wheel spin in snow.
ლ(~̃ ͜ʖ°̃)ლ. ლ(~̃ ͜ʖ°̃)ლ. ლ(~̃ ͜ʖ°̃)ლ

[DemaGeek]

Not only are you guys 'Positively Charged', but you have 'Lightning' fast reaction videos too! I am so impressed. Bonus points to Sarah for working 'Jazz Hands' into a DTL Aptera video.... something I never expected to happen, lol!

[Imageon]

This had to be planned from conception. They probably said they’d give hub a chance if they panned out. There has to have been motor placement baked in to the BINC.
I am happy this went to, two wheel / one motor - straight forward design. I’m keeping my LA spot!

[bendungee]

2:47 Do you really believe we would have to wait 3-4 years for AWD hub motors? It sounded like it would be much sooner than that, but maybe we will get more info this Friday or the end of August.

[larrye]

AT 2:16 OF THE july video by steve he says: we plan to power the rear wheel and make all wheel drive available. does that mean you can add a hub motor later on?

[craigmerrow]

The Vitesco motor peaks at 150 kw, which is 201 hp, almost what the AWD Aptera was rated at, so it will still be pretty quick. I'm wondering if Aptera will offer an OEM rear hub motor kit in the future to convert my LE to AWD? Lots of possibilities!

[GeekonaBike]

Bummed, Cuz In-wheel was a big drew for me. I guess I'll go back to DiYing E-bike a 'Tadpole" trike w/ a rear wheel drive

[n.brucenelson]

I am glad that Aptera is doing everything they can to get vehicles out quickly. I am disappointed that the Elaphe wheels won't be available so soon, but Elaphe had to make a choice as well, and the failure of Lordstown put pressure on them, too.

I will likely switch back to my Paradigm edition rather than LE model, which will give me my color choice, at least.

I don't think Aptera knows what final pricing will be, but I think we might all be pleasantly surprised when we finally know, compared to some of the speculation.

[Lachesisms]

Before the leaderboard went down I was 1497 and have always kept my expectations low - I invested in 2009 too, it’s never been done before so we just let them figure it out; was really hoping for AWD since CO winters can get rough; but we only need a couple weeks out of the year now that the earth is hotter and we’ll get better range and much lower price with proven drivetrain… it’ll be great plus I will be ordering a new model once the heat pump and heated seats etc become standard. Should have much better batteries available by late 20’s too. Thanks for your fun vids :)

[CH-esup]

I am curious what the new drive train will do for weight and balance. I am sure Aptera will bring us a great vehicle though. FWD should use less power than AWD and I really want an Aptera for the efficiency. My original order was for a FWD vehicle. FWD meets all my needs.

[andrewfuller]

The in wheel motor thing was to reduced number of parts and be more energy efficient, but this adds half shafts constant velocity joints and more friction, will Aptera be able to drive 10 mi/ kilowatt?