Light-weight
From Apterawiki
The Aptera Typ-1 is a reasonably lightweight vehicle made of composite materials, steel, and aluminum. It weighs just under 1500 pounds unloaded.[1]
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[edit] Advantages
There are two main kinds of losses at constant speed: aerodynamic drag and rolling resistance. Rolling resistance is directly proportional to mass. At city speeds rolling losses dominate, while at highway speeds aerodynamic losses dominate. The more aerodynamic the vehicle, the more of a factor rolling losses are.
Low weight reduces energy wasted when starting and stopping, since not all the kinetic energy can be recovered via regenerative braking. This should also makes the Aptera easier to push by hand.
[edit] Disadvantages
Light vehicles are more affected by crosswinds and gusts. In the Aptera Typ-1, it is thought that the low-drag shape will prevent wind from compromising stability. For instance, videos show the Aptera Mk-0, which is even lighter than the Typ-1 but has the same shape, being passed by a semi trailer without issue.
[edit] Comparisons to other vehicles
All weights are unloaded.
- Pac Car II: 66 lbs[2]
- Volkswagen 1L car: 639 lbs[3]
- Aptera Mk0: 850 lbs[4]
- Loremo LS: 990 lbs[5]
- Aptera Typ-1: <1500 lbs[6]
- Smart ForTwo: 1800 lbs[7]
- Honda Insight-I ~1900 lbs[8]
- Th!nk City: 2449 lbs[9]
- Toyota Prius: 2900 lbs[10]
- Subaru Outback: 3500 lbs[11]
- Hummer H2: 6400 lbs[12]
