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Aptera May Be Back As Zaptera

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by jsfabb, Jun 11, 2013.

  1. jsfabb

    jsfabb Active Member

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    Formerly Dead Electric Three-Wheeler Aptera Planning A Comeback

    You just can't keep a good electric car down. Two years after Aptera Motors fell into bankruptcy, it appears that their sleek, futuristic three-wheel 2e is reportedly being resurrected in the U.S

    Aptera claimed the 2e could get 120 miles on a single charge, but the company ran out of money in 2010 before they could enter production. Though a few prototypes and demo models were made, no cars were ever built and sold to the public. Employees were famously seen smashing the prototypes sometime before they went under.


    Now, according to Gizmag, Aptera might be back. Last year Chinese automaker Zap Jonway apparently bought the molds with the intention of building the car in their country for sales there and later, in the U.S. with the moniker "Zaptera."
     
    #1 jsfabb, Jun 11, 2013
    Rokeby likes this.
  2. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    #2 ericbecky, Jun 11, 2013
  3. Scorpion

    Scorpion Active Member

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    Now, if only the same thing would happen with the Fisker Karma.
    Cadillac Karma anyone? 4-door big brother to the ELR?
    Or maybe the Buick Karma for the Chinese market?
    I'm sorry, this car is simply too beautiful not to produce. :cool:


    [​IMG]
     
    #3 Scorpion, Jun 11, 2013
  4. walter Lee

    walter Lee Hypermiling Padawan

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    The Aptera Motors basic design is fundamentally good but the cost of developing and making the hi strength body put them in a deep financial abyss. From what I previously read, the resurrected Aptera will outsource the manufacturing of the hi strength body to China which will lower the cost overhead. Some components for a ressurected Aptera 2e like the Lithium ion battery and hi power motors would probably have to be made in Japan or the USA. The Aptera 2e is extemely light and probably could be made and marketed as a kit car.
     
    #4 walter Lee, Jun 12, 2013
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  5. sURFNmADNESS

    sURFNmADNESS Prii Family

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    More surprised that American safety standards would allow for a car without bumpers on the road. Let alone someone would want to look like they are driving a giant sperm down the road.
     
    #5 sURFNmADNESS, Jun 13, 2013
  6. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Hence the 3 wheels. It's legally a motorcycle.
     
    #6 Trollbait, Jun 13, 2013
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