200 MPG Aptera Heads to Washington
 |
MORE: EV Motoring-EV News, Video and Specs
VISTA, Calif. March 12, 2009; The Obama Administration has established a goal for the U.S. transportation industry: put 1 million plug-in hybrid cars on the road by 2015; cars built in America that get up to 150 miles per gallon. In the fourth quarter of this year, Aptera Motors in Vista, Calif., just north of San Diego, will begin manufacturing its 2e plug-in, an all-electric three-wheeled two-seater that gets the equivalent of over 200 mpg, goes 100 miles on a single charge and has a top speed of 90 mph.
However, because the aerodynamically designed vehicle has a three-wheeled architecture -- which, according to Aptera engineers, improves highway efficiency by more than 25 percent due to lower resistance and weight -- the Department of Energy is not permitted to grant a loan. As a matter of law, the DoE is adhering to the Advance Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive Program, which makes funds available to support the development of fuel efficient vehicles – currently limited to four-wheeled vehicles.
“We’ve received financial backing from funders like Google and IdeaLab, and now we’d like to tell our story of breakthrough aerodynamic design and efficiency on Capitol Hill,” says Aptera President/CEO Paul Wilbur, a former top executive at Chrysler for 25 years.
“Aptera can change everyday commuter driving forever, and even though we’re a relative newcomer, we’re confident our vision, purpose and results will compel federal lawmakers to rally around our cause and embrace efficiency in federal policy.”
In fact, Congressmen such as Rep. Brian P. Bilbray (R-CA) and Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-CA) have introduced a new bill that would include companies that build ultra-high efficiency vehicles for consideration in the DoE’s loan program. H.R.1382, The Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive Act, opens the DoE’s loan program to closed cabin two- and three-wheeled vehicles that are capable of more than 75 mpg.
“By unlocking the door of federal funding to ultra-high efficiency vehicles,” says Aptera Chief Financial Officer Laura Marion, “companies like Aptera can compete on a level playing field with more traditionally designed vehicles, leaving the ultimate buying decision in consumers’ hands.”
The ultra-light 2e weighs 1,700 pounds, carries safety features such as a race car-like passenger safety cell, airbags and a front crumple zone, and has already graced the cover of Popular Mechanics as a recipient of the “Breakthrough Technology Award” for 2008, it’s a competitor for the coveted Progressive Automotive X-Prize and was named by Time magazine among its “Best Inventions of 2008.” Aptera management projects the 2e will cost between $25,000 and $40,000, depending on options, and with additional models and powertrains like the 2h (two-passenger hybrid) already under development, the company expects to create some 1,500 jobs and more than 100,000 vehicles in the next five years.
“The 2e is as safe as any car on the road, and its groundbreaking aerodynamics helps it to fly past fueling stations,” says Wilbur. “We’re taking a pair of our vehicles to Washington to show first-hand how great mileage and innovative technology have combined to create a vehicle that’s priced to fit within most family budgets. We’ll show how the 2e helps define energy efficiency and can be a valuable component of President Obama’s green economy.”
About Aptera
Aptera Motors (www.aptera.com), founded in 2004 to develop and build the safest, most energy efficient commuter vehicles on the road, begins volume production of its first vehicle, the all-electric 2e, in 2009. Utilizing streamlined aerodynamic design, lightweight composite structures and unique drive systems, Aptera (which means wingless flight) delivers vehicles that are attainable and efficient. The company operates two Southern California facilities in north San Diego County, where it designs, engineers and manufactures the vehicles and their composite systems to create an exceptionally strong, sleek body.