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While aliens are being spotted in New Jersey, there have been some out-of-this-world car sightings right in downtown New York recently. The NY Post reports on the mysterious Jeston-like car that many pedestrians have been intrigued by, but it turns out it's only making a rare East Coast appearance. The Aptera 2e, a 1700-lb, 3-wheeled electric car set to hit the market later this year (here's a video showing it in action), will only be sold in California at first. It's classified as a motorcycle, but if you have the $25-40K to hand over for one, you won't need the proper license because it operates like an automobile (even containing a trunk and airbags). The car can drive on both city streets and highways, and one Wired writer just sat shotgun for a ride, saying of his driver, "he suddenly gunned it at a green light, turned right on a dime, faded three lanes to his left while outrunning a cab turning left from the opposing lane and came to a comfortable stop perhaps 50 yards later." The car 200 miles per gallon, meaning you could drive 100 miles for less than it would cost to take one trip on the subway.
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OK, fine. I want one.
It was actually here about 5 months ago:
http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/automotive_news/4287508.html
I saw it yesterday when it turned off Stone St. onto Broad St. at lunchtime. It was even better looking up close!
"It's classified as a motorcycle, but if you have the $25-40K to hand over for one, you won't need the proper license because it operates like an automobile"
So why is it classified as a motorcycle if you don't need a motorcycle license?
"The car 200 miles per gallon, meaning you could drive 100 miles for less than it would cost to take one trip on the subway."
This is of course ignoring the initial cost plus insurance and parking.
It's legally a motorcycle because Federal regulations say only motor vehicles with four or more wheels are considered cars. I'm not sure the company spokesman is accurate. I have a feeling that DMV would tell him that if you want to operate a vehicle registered as a motorcycle, you definitely need a Class M (motorcycle) or DM (driver/motorcycle) license,
Ohboyoboyoboy!
I can't wait till that sucker hits a real NYC pothole and its plastic fenders fly off!
There's a Honda Insight that lives in my neighborhood with the side panels literally duct-taped on.
Just don't have an accident with anything heavier than a skateboard.
I've got to have one of these!
A world of solar-powered electric cars will skirt the whole gasoline thing, but traffic will be even worse and drivers will still get away with killing pedestrians, bicyclists, senior citizens, and children.
Bring back the trolley.
Sorry, I'm confused. How can it get 200 mpg if it's an electric car? Electricity is not measured in gallons I'm pretty sure.
Are you saying the cost of the electricity to run it is the equivalent of what gas would cost if your car got 200 mpg?
"Are you saying the cost of the electricity to run it is the equivalent of what gas would cost if your car got 200 mpg?"
That is what the linked Post article says.
I don't think that it is true that you wouldn't need a motorcycle license, at least in NYS. A motorcycle is defined in the Vehicle and Traffic law as a vehicle designed to have three or fewer wheels on the ground, and requires a motorcycle license except for certain "limited use" motorcycles. There are different classes of those based on the operating speed, but the maximum is 40 mph. This thing reportedly has a top speed over 100 mph.
If it doesn't run on hydrogen, it is still stuck in the past. Hydrogen is the answer.
And where, pray tell, would you refuel a hydrogen car in NYC?
And where, pray tell, would you refuel a hydrogen car in NYC?
Only in California would anyone drive something like this and keep a straight face. Anywhere else, it's roadkill. It belongs on a go-kart track. I'm waiting for the new Teslas to come out.
Just with a quick glance at California law, since that's the only state where this vehicle will initially be available, it looks like their laws for motorcycle driver license specify two-wheeled vehicles. So most likely what they're saying about licensing applies in California, but NYS law defines a motorcycle as three or fewer wheels. So again, from what I see you would need a motorcycle license to operate this in New York.