We Had The Chance To Drive The Aptera Gamma Prototype Solar Electric Car. Here's What Happened...
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 28 июн 2024
- Today’s video is sponsored by EnergySage and its new Heat Pump Marketplace. - Start your journey to a cleaner, greener future by heading to www.energysage.com/p/transpor... (solar) or heatpumps.energysage.com/?rc=... for Energy Sage's brand-new Heat Pump Marketplace.
-----
Solar electric vehicle company Aptera has been working hard to bring its Aptera three-wheeled electric car to market since it was reborn in 2019 - and in the time since, we've been lucky enough to get some seat time in both Aptera's Alpha and Beta prototypes - as passengers, not drivers.
But when Aptera asked us if we'd like to come down to San Diego and drive its latest prototype - Gamma - for ourselves, we couldn't say no. But while our ultimate impressions of Aptera Gamma were excellent, our day didn't start quite as we'd hoped...
----
00:00 - Sponsor shoutout
00:12 - Introduction
00:28 - Montage
01:05 - Aptera - Reminder
01:57 - Initial Thoughts
06:04 - Aptera Gamma Breaks Down
06:14 - Why it broke down - CEO Chris Anthony
07:04 - Second Part - A completely different experience!
12:05 - Biker Reaction
13:39 - Energy Sage Sponsored Segment.
14:37 - Final Thoughts
15:32 - Thanks and Goodbye!
[Editorial Note: Nikki here. Can we just give it up for our DP, please? We filmed this on Tuesday (having flown out early... and didn't get back to the studio until 10pm). The video was cut, edited, colored in just a day and a half. Our team rocks ;)
-----
Buy one of our Halloween T-Shirts: www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/153...
---
Presenter: Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield
Editor, Colorist: Michael Horton
Art and Animation: Erin Carlie
Producer: Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield
© Transport Evolved LLC, 2023
Thanks to Aptera for inviting us down, and thanks to our kind Patreon supporters for funding the trip and allowing us to bring you this first-person report.
----
This video was made possible thanks to the kind donations of our supporters on Patreon and Ko-fi. Join them in supporting us.
Support us on Patreon: / transportevolved
Buy the team a coffee -- or a meal!
ko-fi.com/transportevolved
Join our RUclips channel at
/ @transportevolved
Donate using bitcoin: BC1QRZRGCCXUKPDZ2DZ9KX9JYJXMZDYHYGFZ0MN4WH
Support us by buying some merch at www.redbubble.com/people/Tran...
Follow our 'second' channel - Transport Evolved Take Two, at / transportevolvedtake2
Join our Discord server at / discord
Follow the show on Mastodon: mastodon.transportevolved.com/
Follow the show on PeerTube: transport_evolved_main@peertube.tv
Use the TE Aptera referral code - i.refs.cc/zz56EbIi - but watch our explainer video FIRST: • Aptera is Back. It's a...
Sign up for EnergySage at www.energysage.com/p/transpor... 
Авто/Мото
Did not know they support right to repair! I am happy to hear. I'll keep this company in mind when looking for my next car. Hope all goes well with them.
Right to repair is a great option for small car manufacturers. It bypasses dodgy dealers.
if they didnt support right to repair they would need to provide a complete chain of shops. they cant do that.
@@scottmcshannon6821 Tesla hasn't done either one. The nearest Tesla service centre is 1000 km from me, which is one of the reasons why I won't buy one.
Doesn't matter, these don't exist to buy and probably never will.
I'm hoping they might have some kind of official mechanic training materials. Maybe also some sort of certification for mechanics that might give them access to parts at a slight discount or authorize them to do warranty repairs.
Props to Chris Anthony for owning up to another Gamma mishap. These guys are refreshingly transparent about what they do and why. Even if it looks bad, they'll shrug and say what's up. Warts and all.
As an Accelerator, this is an exciting time as we await the PI builds. I know you will get a chance to record some video in a production intent build, looking forward to it.
I'd say he handled this incident way better than he did the last one, or at least what we could see from the NBC edit.
Just one more reason to support this company and their product.
Total FAIL, spin it how you like, wishful thinking doesn't work nor do their prototypes.
(little personal use for a lousy TRIKE anyway)
I really think it can't be overstated enough how awesome it is that this company was transparent about that mishap. That builds alot of trust in my eyes for this company. I'm rooting for them.
The mishap should not have been included in the video it's a prototype! Don't count on her being invited back lol
if gamma had to die on someone *again*, I'm glad it was you at the yoke. I found your analysis of the first occurrence to be the most balanced reporting that I saw, and you did a good job at putting everything into context here. Gotta admit my heart sank for a moment when you uttered, "...and we have just died."
I want one!!!! They check all the boxes for me. Extreme efficiency and right to repair.
the right to repair part, I'm ready to see people do some whacky modifications
Please would you give me the credit? You will be number 22 toward my own lovely SOL I got to sit in. And hopefully get a test drive. I am an Ambassador.
@@daviddrake6875 You have a deposit on one?
Serious props to Aptera for allowing the full version and for being open and transparent. Says a LOT about how they will operate in the future.
Decade plus and they can't even field a functioning PROTOTYPE? *FAIL*
@@Mrbfgray Cannot wait for mine
@@nickvan4514 Good luck, best result is most likely--you never get one, going to be a DOG.
@@Mrbfgray huh?
@@nickvan4514 It's clearly either a sham or just a failed company. You *won't* get one, get over it. Going on 20 yrs and their prototypes barely work, production is so far off it's laughable.
I am happy you enjoyed the test ride and I appreciate that you forgave Aptera for allowing it to break down. I can't believe they let that happen AGAIN!
Mistakes happen. We gave our advice to make sure it doesn’t happen again: Checklists!
Shit happens, plus it gives Aptera an opportunity to build a software routine that can manage those set up tasks. Which makes it less likely to be overlooked in the final version.
It looks like Gamma is pretty busy these days.
What do you expect, they just started 4 years ago and only spent 100,000,000.-
Maybe in a year time they will have a working prototype
@@shrimptopian3392 I guess you could have done it in half the time at a fraction of the money. 🤔
Absolutely LOVED the sound when I got to ride in it. I hope they keep it too. Great video! Thank you so much for taking the time to drive it!
I love the sound of the motor winding up when I accelerate my Nissan Leaf. In an Aptera it will be even more like driving a jet powered car. We'll be like the Jetsons without the flying (we can leave that to Elon Musk). I much prefer the whine of a motor than to have an artificial sound pumping out of a speaker. Though I must admit the sound the Taycan makes is pretty cool, especially because it is clearly NOT a real engine sound.
@theninjineer I just have to tip my cap to your excellent username. Well done.
My Bolt does the same. Love that sound. Like the Chicago Street cars used to sound. Hoping the lease of my Equinox EV with 400 mile range ( I will show you how if it is like the Bolt I get 320 to one time 356 miles per charge), will wind down so my next car will be my own lovely SOL. I am an Ambassador.
I love watching your video production. Get better and better with each passing video. Great job you guys.
That motorcycle rider made my day. Really cool interaction and that's exactly the kind of thing that spreads the word about these kinds of things. Last time I went to a public charger (at a Walmart), I had an old lady come up to me and ask if she could ask me some questions. Of course I said "Absolutely!" and she said she was curious about electric cars but had some concerns (the usual concerns about battery life, expense, etc). We ended up talking for almost an hour and I'm 99% pretty sure that I convinced her to buy an electric car.
Loveit
This is one of the reasons that I firmly believe it should at least say "aptera" SOMEWHERE on the body, despite the aesthetic advantages of not doing so. The owner won't always be around to explain it to interested passersby.
Yeah he was cool.
@@robertkirchner7981great idea, huge graphic at least for prototypes
There is a lot to be said for designs like this. I hope they get to series production. Thanks for the “full story” of your visit…much more authentic.
Our job is always to represent what happened - not what we WISH happened - Nikki.
Production is not enough. They need to make AT LEAST 1000 a month. I don't think 1000 a week is too many.
@@fjalics Great point. Maybe in another 15 yrs they can field an obsolete but functioning *prototype.*
@@MrbfgrayYour ego needs calibration. It’s way out of whack.
@@hardcoreherbivore4730 Hahaha. You could learn from one like me but if you were *capable* of learning you would be where you are,...hmmm? Silly punk.
I just love how you gave your time to the biker :)
So informative and friendly ❤
He was awesome too 😎
Your smile in the second half says it all! I so want one. Thanks for another great and honest vid.
Please drive the final version on the aged bumpy roads of the US northeast. 100 years of freeze-thaw cycles and cheap patches make a big difference from the lovely California roads you’re driving on in this video.
Great Aptera test drive and overview TE. Thank you for keeping it real and including all sides of the experience. My wife and I can't wait to be behind the yolk of our very own.... we are so excited for Aptera's success!!
This is an excellent video. I was so sad about the first moment, and I was thrilled to know the cooling makes such a difference! What an impressive vehicle for a prototype!!!
I can believe it could get 11 miles/kwh, my 2017 Kia Soul EV has gotten that once ( I had trouble believing it too ) but it was right there in trip history (trip only a few miles, and not all downhill is pretty flat around here (Richmond & Vancouver BC.). It typically gets between 4.5 and 7 miles/kwh with a tracked average of 5.3. That is city driving, doing door dash deliveries (quick, but thoughtful) and definitely not hyper-miling it. The Aptera aerodynamics far exceed the brick shape of the Soul.
Very excited about the Aptera. Such a simulataneously cool looking, efficient, and affordable car. This has a lot of promise and I hope that it drives other car manufacturers to compete on efficiency.
It's not a car though, it's a motorcycle. As such, actual cars won't be able to compete on efficiency.
@@Josh-179 I guess you didn't see the Lightyear One. It had really excellent efficiency for a 4-seater sedan. Sadly, they gave up on producing vehicles and are now looking to license their technology.
@patreekotime4578 the Lightyear One had a price tag of $265,000 to $270,000
It’s a nice looking bike, but it’s not a car.
@FuncleChuck at the price of cars today, this is a welcome option.
With all the delays and revisions (how ever well justified) I’ve gone from chomping at the bit for my Aptera, to, “yeah, okay, we will see what I think and feel when they actually have a production vehicle.” It’s clear now that Gamma was obsolete before they even trotted it out, and that was more than a year ago.
All that being said, this review does refresh my enthusiasm a bit. Still so much potential. These guys really need to make a success of this. Nikki’s well tempered enthusiasm and candor do them good service.
Might this writer say; I follow and fully agree with the Post writen
Good idea to go to Abu Dhabi they will one up each other in investing. A perfect desert vehicle 1,000 mile range and charging all the time. Go go Aptera! I am an Ambassador. Where are you Jay??
Thanks for sharing the hands-on experience. Credibility comes with showing both the good and not-so-good. Thank you for that.
At the ~5:00 point in the video: "The turning radius of this pre-production prototype is about one half of what the production vehicle's turning radius will be." Really? Half?
Let me rephrase. The turning capabilities are less. the production will have twice as much steering capability, or 1/2 the current radius - Nikki
@@transportevolved Glad you meant the opposite to what you said in the video. 🤣🚀🎉
@@ThomasWaldmannmy thoughts exactly. Thanks for the clarification +transportevolved 😂
I am thinking - mainly because of constraints up forward - that the turning radius magic will happen at the rear wheel. And this is a very good thing when trying to avoid obstacles inside your turning curve.
Its an affordable vehicle that fills a need. Outstanding engineering and development. With low or possibly no drain on the grid. Well done!
This is the first reviewer test of the Aptera vehicle I've watched. Great that they are letting reviewers test it out.
Great video! I loved the excitement of the biker that interrupted your review. Wishing Apterra success
I can't wait for the Aptera to come to the UK. I really want one 😍
It won't come to Europe before 2030
In Europe this a car with 10x more regulations etc
It will also be way more expensive than the us version
Every video I see of the aptera makes me more excited for when I eventually get mine
With first Sono Motors and now Lightyear out of the game, Aptera is the last of that slew of hyper-efficient solar-electric vehicles left. I hope they make it to the finish line and I can't wait to see them on the roads! The Gamma Prototype is really beautifiul and I was shocked when the biker started talking because I had no idea the windows were open! No buffetting! Like he said... SICK!
And gorgeous camera work in the chase vehicle MIcheal!
I recently tried to sound-deaden by rickety old car and actually found it to be much easier than I expected, having read people’s experiences doing it the hard way by stripping out interior panels and adding tons of layers.. While full-blown traditional sound deadening with butyl mats, mass loaded vinyl, et cetera probably works a treat, I was able to massively quiet my car with the judicious use of light weight upholstry foam. Way more effective than I had imagined.
These vehicles are so cute! I'm not sure I could make one work for me though, for a variety of reasons. EDIT: The new supporter scroll looks sweet!
I've been a long-time reservation-holder. I was a little worried at the beginning of your video, but I'm glad I held out.
Thanks for another quality episode Nikki and big thanks to Aptera for allowing you to show us the car. Your huge grin says it all Nikki. Go Aptera.
This is a the "more monethan sense" car for me. I love the look, the projected ranges, the expected Diy capable servicing, and the panels.
That's why they test, test and test and evolve. This is good- you learn more from failure than success!
So glad you got the opportunity, thanks for bringing us along!
Oh my goodness Nikki…THANK YOU. I am super excited about this car. As a desert dweller in Arizona, I would seriously consider this car for myself. Please keep us updated. 😎
I feel the same way you described that motorcyclist's smile at seeing the car driving (and being along for the ride... at least my eyes and ears--thank you for the video/audio and commentary/impressions). The promise of Aptera ticks many of the boxes we can't get in other offerings on the market today--and we can't wait to be driving ours!
I'm retired and don't drive much although I love my 2017 Mustang. The Aptera would be perfect for me. ;)
Im converted. I thought this car was silly now i am fascinated by it. Love it!
I'm so glad you got access like this.
12:00 What a legend🤙🏻
Finally someone drives the Aptera and satifies my curiosity!
So happy to see a review of gamma, and major props to Aptera for being honest and up front about the issue, it shows a lot of good about the company. 🎉 Now just to get past regulatory requirements so I can buy my reservation in Canada! 😊
This outfit is a JOKE. Hahaha. Can't even field a functioning prototype in over a decade.
@@Mrbfgray I hope you’re getting paid by Musk. Troll. 🤡
Lol! The grin it put on your face truly speaks volumes. Hilarious it overheated on your test drive 😅. The poor media folks at Aptera must have been pulling their hair out that the company founder make the same mistake again 😂. Thank you for this in-person drive!
Can't wait to get mine!
I want one!
As an investor, the curb appeal is encouraging. After production models are on the road, every one is a billboard advertisement.
I really hope Aptera makes it. But yeah, that steering wheel would have to be a day-1 swap out for me. Hopefully with their commitment to right-to-repair they will also be more friendly to aftermarket equipment and add-ons.
Excellent review!! I've been watching Aptera for years, so it's exciting to see them at the level where journalists are able to get behind the wheel by themselves and give honest opinions about an "almost ready" vehicle. I found it particularly interesting that there was such a drastic change in the behavior of the Aptera after it died and was then properly started again. Like you, I'm very much looking forward to seeing people get their hands on the Delta variant so we'll have a solid idea what a production Aptera really looks and drives like.
I've been on the fence about ordering one, as I'm 6'2 and a larger guy, and pretty much everyone who gets into the Aptera looks...well, cozy, if not cramped. Yes, the leg room is great, but there doesn't seem to be much head room, even for you (unsure how tall you are, but I'm guessing less than 6'2). I wonder if there will be any seat adjustments available on Delta and the production vehicle to accommodate larger people. I certainly hope so.
Thanks, again, for such an excellent review!!
Nearly every portion of this video made me smile, albeit each for many different reasons.
I have a deposit on 400-mile Aptera. My wife and I are senior citizens and as soon as Aptera deliveries start in Canada, will pass on our Tesla to our youngest. He needs a break from Gas and we need the Sun for Aptera❤️❤️❤️
Hear! Hear! I am a 79 years young Ambassador. On my bucket list. Maybe take it to Mars plenty of sun there. Imagine my own lovely white SOL taxi on Mars!!
honestly this is the most exciting ev car company out there. right to repair alone makes it revolutionary in todays greed overdrive corp environment.
I've been following the Aptera story for close to a decade now and can't help being excited seeing the finish line coming into sight for production to start. I hope the money falls into place and they have GREAT SUCCESS.
Almost a decade? Aptera went banlrupt in 2011 and was re-formed in 2019.
Really good to see you out of the studio for a change. It was obvious you were having a great time and was terrific to watch. You will be very exited when you get your own Aptera at some point in the future. 👏🏻
Nikki here - not sure I'll be able to buy one, given how little TE is making these days! -
@@transportevolvedIf you've already reserved, maybe try throwing out the referral link so you can give followers a slight discount as well as giving yourself a leg up to purchase one?
We *do have a referral link* (check description), but because we're committed to journalistic integrity, I cannot PERSONALLY benefit from it, and will be auctioning off any 'free' vehicles for charity. If I buy one, it will have to be paid for in full by me - Nikki.
@@transportevolved Geeze, your ethics are impressive.
I wish you could get paid for that.
@@transportevolved You would not be getting a free vehicle. You are just not paying cash. You are trading a service (marketing) for a product. You have sponsors for TE and you do advertising for them, and don’t believe it destroys your journalistic integrity. I don’t see how it would be any different. OK, make it a TE vehicle rather than your personal vehicle,
REALLY rooting for Aptera! Can't wait to buy one
Wow, that's some of the best footage of the car I've seen yet!
So excited. Poor Gamma getting so much abuse.
Glad you like it! :) - Nikki.
After riding I.C.E. powered two wheelers for going on half a century, I've had to overcome some major muscle memory habits after going electric. This includes overcoming the tendency to overindulge in the ginormous availability of torque(danger Will Robinson)!
I DO LOVE riding electric and it was pretty much mandatory after going EV for my daily.
I imagine my Aptera will take some getting used to but am looking forward to it and am betting that I'll love the transition even more...
Cheers!
I mean, what do you DO with your clutch hand?
or your gear foot? I actually held a coffee while riding the other day-just 'cause I could.
Can't wait!!!
If this is not the definition of honesty, I don’t know what is 😊. Great video
Excellent commentary Nikki, and excellent editing and grading as well from the TE team. Absolutely fantastic subject matter too thanks to Aptera.
VERY exciting to see you drive the Aptera! Fun to see you so giddy while driving!!!
Very excited for this car! So cool to see your take (wise, as always) on it! Thanks for your work.
Great work! This is the best Aptera test drive video I’ve seen. Really appreciate the detail about what systems are implemented, whats still coming, and your honest take on your experience.
The follow-on portion of this video is exactly why we should watch videos all the way through.
Thanks for a great report. ❤
That's the best video presentation I have seen on Aptera. Excellent presentation by you and effort by your team.
Had my reservation the first day! But also have a CuberTruck as well so we will see which one is first. With the Tesla NACS connector and being able to charge on Tesla network is a huge plus for Aptera.
I would buy it just for the smile factor you displayed during the drive! Good luck to get it to prod soon! Go, Aptera!
I really want to see Aptera succeed, even if we will never see a model in Australia, the world needs this technology, and the courage to build such awesome efficient vehicles.
Thank you for this excellent video. I think that this is the best Aptera drive video yet, and certainly one of the best Aptera videos of all types. It's great that you included the overheating shutdown and the cause and resolution of the problem. Yes, it's a prototype... shit happens. As excited as I have been for this vehicle, this video has managed to raise my excitement level.
One note, I am particularly bothered by wind noise, which makes driving with the windows down almost impossible. You can't imagine the degree of my surprise when I realized that you were driving with the windows down and there was almost no wind noise. WOW! Driving with the windows open may actually be a viable option in the Aptera. Yet another perk of their extreme aerodynamics.
The contrast between the slick shape of the vehicle and the boxy ugly shape of the cars around on each stops is astonishing!
awesome cant wait till production starts
Speaking from experience of using side view cameras and monitors in lieu of mirrors every day, it makes perfect sense for them to be in the more conventional pillar location concurrent with side vision. Though I 100% trust my field of view through the cameras, having that organic sense of overlapping vision with it is not something I would give up voluntarily. It's disconcerting without that.
Great video on the Aptera. I'm glad that you showed the breakdown as well as the recovery/reasoning. Most reviewers would have just cut out the entire first part of the drive.
Glad to see the Aptera making such good progress. We've seen a few solar powered cars hit trouble in development and I was worried Aptera would struggle in the various negative climates that surround EVs. I wasn't worried about the Aptera breaking down as it's a prototype. When the SpaceX rocket exploded I didn't worry about that either. Prototypes are designed for the purpose of seeing what issues arise and working out how to address them. If you make a prototype that works perfectly then something is wrong. Either you were lucky or you haven't pushed the design enough. I live in London, England so I have the good fortune of seeing the latest EVs on the roads around me pretty soon after they launch in the UK and sometimes even before that. I can't wait to see a production Aptera on the roads of London or better yet on the motorway. It will be as thrilling as the first time I saw a Tesla on the streets.
Not even a footnote in history. Over a decade and can't even field a functioning prototype? FAIL
That motorcyclist was pretty cool..
Love this video! Thanks for posting this - very excited as an Aptera enthusiast/shareholder
This video makes me even more excited about Aptera and I was already overwhelmingly excited!!
Something going wrong is to be expected in a prototype. It really sounds like a car I would love to own.
Pity I live in Australia.
Hope the legalisms of the classification can be sorted because it would make a ton of sense in Australia when they eventually export. I'm in BC and we have no hurdles for them getting it here (width, direct sales, helmets, license type are all non-issues) and second strongest EV market per capita in North America (California passed us within the last year)
I really enjoyed this , and happy to test one in Orkney ! #want 😊
I like this beautiful model of vehicle its uniqueness is truly eye catching
The guy taking a moment to apologize is insane these days, companies do everything to isolate themselves and that is cool
Great video! Everything on point!
Thanks for the review! Looking forward to seeing the production model test drive.
Loved the attitude and frankness. Thanks!
Exciting and well put together video ❤
Can't wait for PI Builds to be finished!
I'd love to see TE as regular testers, great content and great promotion for Aptera !
They're special sauce is the aero id baked in, not an afterthought, like starting with a brick and trying to smooth it out
Thanks for mentioning how relatively quiet it is with windows rolled down. I noticed same thing when I rode in Gamma about 1 1/2 months ago. Incredible think that PI vehicle will be even quieter.
That does it! I got to touch the SOL early in San Diego facility, got to be inside in the driver’s seat of my future Lovely SOL at Del Mar Race Track. Now I want a test drive! I am an ambassador.
Great to see you finally getting a chance to drive it. Looking forward to when it gets released.
Hi to the bloke on the bike.
You did not mention the largest change in the PI vehicle and that is the CPC body.
I just learned about Aptera yesterday. Cool car that I hope becomes popular. I drew a version that's 2 feet longer and allows for a small bench seat for children/shorter people to sit in the back, and then folds to extend the back so it could haul longer items or be slept in without opening the back. I hope they or someone else builds that version because I think they could sell a lot more EVs as a family/utility vehicle.
Aptera's second vehicle is likely to be a 4 wheel, 5 passenger sedan.
I Love apterra! Tell them they’re doing a great job and I’m so excited to see it in production! Also, the channel is great too!
Nice candid review. I think your reaction to the boot-up oops was fair. It must have been a blast driving it.
Excellent video. Thanks so much guys. Peace, Calvin.
“We’ve been following Aptera”….include your audience, we’ve been following along with you.
Can’t wait to get mine!! Gonna be so much fun.
Thank you for sharing.
I'm soooo happy to hear how they addressed that overheating issue for you so quickly (and it was fantastic to see the CEO himself step up on camera).
I love this car. I want them to succeed SO bad!
So excited for Aptera!! Let’s get this into production!
I loved this video. This video reminds me of when Top Gear was good.
Can't wait for you to review the next Aptera.
WOW ITS so much smaller than than I had imagined. Still want one though.
Yeah wouldn't have an issue with the cam for left and right. I have a Santa Cruz Limited and it's left and right cams also on the center console.
I’m not particularly excited about the yoke either, and on the Lexus plug-in. It’s an option on that vehicle, but it means that you’re never going handover hand with the yoke. But it just occurred to me that there’s another possibility: I know that Aptera has said that they are going to make it easy for third parties to make accessories and replacement parts. Perhaps there is a way for somebody to finish off the yoke and turn it into a steering wheel for those of us who would like it.
Yeah make a bad product and let other companies solve the problems 😅
Again? Explicative, explicative and another explicative.