There are now over 4000 Aptera's on order

March 26, 2009, 12:12 pm
Another View of the Electric Future
By Lawrence Ulrich
Norman Mayersohn/The New York Times Lawrence Ulrich interviewing Paul Wilbur of Aptera, with the 2e in the background.
While its windswept shape recalls jet aircraft, the Aptera 2e could also be the silicon sister of Eve, the streamlined robot from the animated film "Wall-E." And as it glided silently through Lower Manhattan on Wednesday, the three-wheeled electric car seemed as futuristic and provocative as Wall-E`s icy-white object of desire. From children to usually stoic cops, onlookers pointed, grinned and gaped at this ultralight two-seater, which its backers said would go on sale later this year.
The Aptera took its star turn for the media, including a video I`m shooting for this Web site, at the Classic Car Club in SoHo. The car`s California-based backers discussed everything from the price -- $25,000 to $40,000 depending on the powertrain -- to its roughly 100-mile driving range, top speed of 90 miles an hour and eight-hour charge time on a normal household outlet.
Norman Mayersohn/The New York Times The face of the Aptera.

Paul Wilbur, Aptera`s chief executive, who used to work at Chrysler and Jeep, said the Aptera would be the world`s most energy-efficient car, in part because of its aerodynamics, which require only a modest electric motor to power the front wheels. The company plans to sell the electric model only in California at first and to roll it out nationally over the next year or two, while it develops plug-in hybrid and gasoline versions.
The Aptera was supposed to go on sale in late 2008, but Mr. Wilbur said he held up the car with demands to add power windows and other consumer-friendly gear. As with the electric Tesla Roadster, Mr. Wilbur said that some celebrities, including Tom Hanks, Shaquille O`Neal and Robin Williams, were among customers who had put down $500 deposits to reserve a place in line.
Norman Mayersohn/The New York Times The Aptera ventures onto the streets of New York.
"I`m not sure Shaquille would fit, but he`s interested," Mr. Wilbur noted.
From my perch in the passenger seat -- and despite its wobbly looking layout -- the Aptera felt as stable and responsive as any car, thanks in part to a low center of gravity, with roughly 500 pounds of lithium-ion batteries wedged below the cockpit. While the Aptera weighs barely 1,700 pounds, its backers said the composite body is six times stronger than steel and is designed to meet all federal crash standards.
The cockpit is surprisingly roomy for two large passengers, and there`s enough luggage space for three golf bags. Slick-looking digital readouts display everything from the remaining driving range to mileage, expressed here in miles per kilowatt hour.
After a 20-minute drive, Mr. Wilbur eased through the doors of Classic Car Club into a garage filled with members` exclusive rides: a BMW Z8, a Ford GT, a vintage Ferrari, a Porsche Speedster replica, Ducati motorcycles and even a Tesla Roadster. But passers-by seemed to look right through the exotics to focus on the Aptera`s one-of-a-kind shape. Wall-E would have understood.

Aptera is being developed in a tidy industrial park here, a few miles north of San Diego. CEO Fambro, 41, and COO Chris Anthony, 31, a former stockbroker who also runs a boat-making shop, have about 15 employees so far, mostly fabricators and engineers.
At present, Aptera has one working prototype of its electric car. A hybrid gas-electric version is being built. Production is scheduled for later this year.