You may not have heard much about the Aptera 2e electric car. Unlike the Tesla which gets endless press based mostly on its good looks and billionaire owner, the Aptera 2e looks like a science project and its owners are less annoying. Production of the 2e has been in the works for some time. Popular Mechanics even drove one not too long ago and declared it surprisingly fun.
Of course, building prototypes is one thing. Building cars that can be sold to the public is quite another. And like so many startup car companies before it Aptera is having a little trouble getting to the retail part of the equation.
In a letter to customers obtained by Green Car Advisor, Aptera says the 2e has been delayed to accommodate new features. The new late 2009 launch date is now a year later than originally planned. The company is also asking potential customers to turn their refundable deposits into non-refundable down payments to allow it to better gauge true demand.
desmolicious says:
01:28 PM, 01/ 8/09
So that's what that is! I was invited to a study group ($150 woo hoo!) in Long Beach to compare this to a Mini, Smart and Prius. Just design/style/impressions not driving.
It seems that the hybrid version is gonna cost $50K and get 100mpg. The car is very wide due to the front wheel placement.
desmolicious says:
01:31 PM, 01/ 8/09
p.s. non refundable down payments sounds really really bad...
redliner says:
08:26 AM, 01/ 9/09
How many people actually think this is ever going to happen? Theres just no way to build these and make a profit on it. I would LOVE to be proven wrong, but i'm more than a little skeptical. I'll believe it when i can drive one.