CES 2025 - Part 3 - The Aptera

[@DrTeeHenry]

Thanks for the coverage. Lots of nice tidbits.

[@FreedomSOURCE]

You're welcome, was amazing to see it in person :)

[@netscrooge]

Great video! Love that you added the video of the Insight.

[@FreedomSOURCE]

Thank you, I hoped it was an Insight'full addition to the video 😂

[@ccibinel]

Get in my driveway!

[@elertus]

It was so great to meet and chat throughout the CES/ Aptera events. Well done video, capturing these highlights . I too was surprised, at the Apter Hours Party when they had the rides…as a spectator, how quiet it was as Hermes drove by. I hope to meet up again! Len

[@FreedomSOURCE]

Awesome to meet you there too! 😎 Definitely those non-hub motors were silent!

[@jamesomega]

Excellent work! And excellent questions! I'm glad the shell can be patched like a boat

[@FreedomSOURCE]

Very true! And unlike metal work = it won't rust :)

[@DemaGeek]

Great Aptera coverage and interviews, thank you!

[@peterjol]

To me, that is the most exciting, desirable car of them all.

[@FreedomSOURCE]

@@peterjol agreed! :)

[@kevinscott8642]

I absolutely feel the same. I’ve never wanted a car as much as I want this one! I’ll be driving one of the first ones off the assembly line. 😎

[@MathewPuthiakunnel]

Awesome video! Loved the interviews

[@charangohabsburg1]

Great coverage with some not yet or not yet much heard questions and answers, and also new close-up views. Thank you!

[@deanmcmanis4862]

Thanks for the interviews and related Aptera video shots. Good job!

[@FreedomSOURCE]

Thank you :) The whole thing was filmed on an old iPhone 11

[@TheViewFromHome]

I loved my Insight, I bought the first one sold in my state as they rolled it off the delivery truck, before it even made it to the showroom.

[@FreedomSOURCE]

That's awesome, what colour was yours?

[@TheViewFromHome]

I bought the silver one.

[@FreedomSOURCE]

@ one of the best colours, makes it look like a concept car 😎

[@Landon-fixed]

Really well done.

[@richardryley3660]

Just to say it, there is no need for more then 50 kW charging for the 400 mile battery. They will probably upgrade it to 100 kW for the 600 or 1000 mile battery. 50 kW will recharge the 43 kWh battery in less thsn an hour, and will get you 100 miles in 10 minutes. That'll get you home where you can charge more cheaply. Getting 100 miles in only 5 minutes would sure be something to brag about, but there wiuld be a lot more heat to dissipate. Tbe cooling is going to change. The vents you pointed out are a pair of radiators. They probably need only one. And they have already said they are going to make the scoop under the belly smaller snd leds likely to clog up. Aptera would like to use a belly cooling system that doesn't use a radiator, but instead tubes built into the belly and cooled by the airflow. This hasn't been done before though, and no one knows how much heat it can handle. You might need to use a radiator with the 100 kW charging option.

[@herbf2700]

I'm a car guy. This has always intrigued me and now I find that its growing on me. I think when they come out with the in-wheel motor version, I'm going to pounce.

[@FreedomSOURCE]

You won't regret it 😎 Definitely makes sense, especially when they're encouraging people to work on their own cars. From the sounds of it, the all wheel drive version will have a rear hub motor for sure

[@santanumaitra3962]

What I loved the most is the spinning (or drifting?) silver Insight in the pop up screen!!! We have one of those and it has been patiently waiting for it's younger nerd and cousin (Aptera). I just learned Steve Fambro has an Insight! Fantastic!!! (I think you were driving to Scott's garage after CES!)

[@FreedomSOURCE]

Haha it's a real drift machine in the snow/ice, very safe and controllable! And you're right, but unfortunately I didn't get to meet Scott. Jimmy was fantastic though, very knowledgable. If you ever need any help with Insight stuff, my handle on InsightCentral is the same = FreedomSOURCE 🤙

[@santanumaitra3962]

Thanks for your response. Just like Aptera, there is an 'Insight Bubble'. Most Americans don't know what I am driving and many get mad at me for totally unknown reasons! 'Small car hatred'? Going back to our original topic, we are keeping our fingers crossed for Aptera to make it to the finish line. Good luck with your channel.

[@garydmercer]

Watched all the Aptera interviews from CES. Your's is the best interview. You asked pertininent questions and delved deeper into the Aptera. Good job. Great questions.

[@cruzer01]

Excellent video with great Co- CEO interviews. I would like to have access to be able to change or repair my own tire. Hope it will be possible. Can't wait to get on the road with one!! Thanks for sharing!

[@FreedomSOURCE]

Thank you! From what I gathered talking to the senior engineer, it's possible with jacks but need to be done at home garage. I'll try make some videos on that when the Aptera arrives :)

[@___bf____]

Truly a magnificent piece of engineering

[@mikegardner1589]

You mentioned glossy wrap and I have already ordered a glow-in-the-dark white and I'm considering a glow-in-the-dark blue wrap

[@FreedomSOURCE]

That's a really cool idea, it would definitely match the space age design too!

[@TheScottShepard]

Amazing video for a channel with only 388 subscribers!

[@FreedomSOURCE]

Thank you for watching! 2025 will be a cool year for the channel, you'll enjoy the content if you liked this one :)

[@adimchionyenadum2962]

I was also surprised at the number of subscribers. The dude should turn the channel into a solar-based, Aptera channel and watch his traffic grow. He will make a very good influencer.

[@FreedomSOURCE]

@ Honestly wish I'd had more time and got to interview backer stories, there were a lot of very knowledgable people there! Also very happy you found the channel :)

[@rngalston]

Sweet dude AOC has some competition!

[@kevinscott8642]

@@FreedomSOURCE Now up to 430 subscribers - including me! Very much looking forward to more of your Aptera coverage! 👍🙂

[@tims8603]

Maybe someone will correct me but I don't think the BINC (the exploded one) was painted. I think that's pretty much how they come out of the mold. Maybe some light sanding required.

[@FreedomSOURCE]

I asked Chris after and can confirm the BINC was painted because they didn't have enough time to wrap it. Would be cool to see it without any wrap or paint, might work nicely! :)

[@TitusvRijn]

Was silver paint on CES

[@tims8603]

@@TitusvRijn No, I'm talking about the white one.

[@tims8603]

@@FreedomSOURCE OK, thanks. It probably has to have some kind of protection from UV. Either paint or a wrap.

[@adimchionyenadum2962]

@@tims8603 I have always seen it as white. Never saw it in any other colour even at CPC. BTW, isn't fibre glass supposed to be white?

[@christophervogelvirginvall5502]

So many years, we have waited... so many... I have been in line for long enough that it is hard not to be a little skeptical. ... so ... many....

[@FreedomSOURCE]

I hear you, talking to them this time it seems we're on the home run. Fingers crossed!

[@gmy33]

Lets all pay aptera 30% upfront so they can start production and we ll have aptera s within 20 months !! Lets do it the wild way !!!! ... 10k people pay 15k ..gives more than enough financiel room

[@FreedomSOURCE]

When I asked some of the accelerator program people, they said 60 are almost confirmed for this year. Next year = MUCH more

[@adimchionyenadum2962]

It is not permitted by law.

[@gmy33]

@adimchionyenadum2962 Apple Google tesla starbucks all go around the law and shurely did so inorder to exist and grow .. so maybe somebody can find a sollution ???

[@gmy33]

@FreedomSOURCE great to hear .. its a start and will cause more demand !!! I m waiting for europe .. I could not afford accelerating as I allready haveclike 12k stock .. but would love to prepay my aptera !!!!!

[@gmy33]

@adimchionyenadum2962 the moment they are in production or say they are in production ... its allowed !!!! I wanted 14 months on a fully paid moto bike that manufactorer had some problems .. so it could be a great area

[@adimchionyenadum2962]

Good video. There is some pertinent information I am hearing for the first time, that we won't be able to change the rear tire in case of a tire puncture. We have to toll the thing since there won't be a spare either. I don't think I am excited about that.

[@FreedomSOURCE]

Same reaction I had too, hopefully the third party market come up with a special quick jack for the rear

[@damaliamarsi2006]

I want the 100 /1000 mile range for road tripping up to 1000 miles per day. Are these cars going to be able to handle winter conditions, and rough duty cycles?

[@FreedomSOURCE]

I'll likely make a new video answering these questions, because I asked a lot off camera about that. It's a mixed bag answer, yes and no. Stay tuned!

[@damaliamarsi2006]

@@FreedomSOURCE Yeah I am also concerned with road debris. I have on many occasions swerved to take a piece of metal , once a large muffler, between my tires. The big concern I would have is right between the wheels on a four wheeler is a bulls eye to the rear wheel on a three wheel vehical, and in the snow and winter weather you are frequently driving over huge chunks of ice while following the tracks of the vehicle in front of you. Even a few bridges around where I live are built with no center and would not be passable by something with three wheels. Really concerns me. I think a video addressing these concerns is an excellent idea. Let me know if you need any assistance.

[@christopherandelin]

9:33, weight capacity is 500 pounds so two men weighing 200 pounds each leaves only 100 pounds for cargo. A table might weigh too much.

[@FreedomSOURCE]

This is very true, I didn't take into consideration weight. Hopefully they bump up the rating for cargo in future

[@richardryley3660]

Usually cargo capacity is a conservative estimate. If you overload the vehicle, you'll probably just make the suspension ride low and possibly damage the wheel skirts.

[@kevinscott8642]

People load their cars with way more weight than the manufacturer’s weight rating all the time, and it’s no big deal. It will affect the car’s handling so you drive a little slower, but you can do it, and people do.

[@mobileplayers5008]

What's about crash prevention? Any airbags or newer technology for it?

[@FreedomSOURCE]

Yes! It has a roll cage & both passenger/driver airbags

[@CihanekPhotography]

So, 50 kW max charging. Have they ever announced what the charging curve will look like? I have a Chevy Bolt so I know what road tripping a 50 kW charging EV is like. Considering the battery on the Aptera is smaller, this might not be an issue as long as it can hold that 50 kW quite a bit longer than my Bolt can. But if it drops off as quickly, I may have some reservations about my reservation.

[@FreedomSOURCE]

Probably it'll be less noticeable in combination with Solar trickle charging the HV battery. I'll post a video on it once delivery happens :)

[@CihanekPhotography]

@@FreedomSOURCE Yeah that's not how it works. The Solar, at best will give you 40 miles a day which is great for daily driving. Longer trips will require stopping at DC fast charging. And if it can only receive a maximum of 50KW, then it charges as slow as my Bolt, which is not good. Unless it can maintain that 50KW though to 80% or so. If it does that, then it's acceptable, but still not ideal in a world where a Hyundai can pull 150KW or more up to 80%. I understand the Aptera's battery is half the size, so you would think it should take half as long to charge. But let's say it can hold 50KW to 80%, it will take 1.5X as long as a Hyundai. But if it has the charging curve of my Bolt, you could be a a charger for an hour or more on a long trip.

[@FreedomSOURCE]

@CihanekPhotography I hear you, my comment was more for just daily driving around with the occasional fast charge. Definitely you make a good point regarding road trip use, hopefully they ramp up the charge capacity

[@kevinscott8642]

What matters with charging time is how many miles you’re getting for a given amount of time spent charging. Since the Aptera is expected to get more than twice as many miles per kilowatt hour as a Bolt, that means that even at the exact same nominal charging speed, the Aptera will effectively be charging more than twice as fast as the Bolt. And of course, the Aptera’s longer range means fewer/less frequent times needing to stop to charge.

[@katerinaromanov]

In an emergency, would you be able to egress through the door window?

[@FreedomSOURCE]

I will have to ask Jason this at the next opportunity, very good question!

[@robinpettit7827]

Anyone know what type of Warranty Accelerators will get?

[@FreedomSOURCE]

Not sure, I will ask this next time

[@adimchionyenadum2962]

For sure they won't get a warranty different from other customers.

[@PA5TYS]

Yep Here in Europe we have to wait much longer . . .

[@FreedomSOURCE]

From the sounds of it, you might be able to pickup in California like me and ship it back home

[@adimchionyenadum2962]

@@FreedomSOURCE The problem is not about individually shipping it. The problem is that it is not road worthy in the EU.

[@FreedomSOURCE]

@ Good point, this is true

[@Derpy1969]

I’d like to see these launch, but when they don’t talk about production dates, one should be concerned.

[@ien2023]

50kw ...reallly?

[@FreedomSOURCE]

Definitely they're going to upgrade that I'd assume, this might just be for the first hundred or so Aptera

[@TAWithiam]

since it's 2-3 times more efficient than a standard EV, that's the equivalent of 2-3 times faster charging (in terms of miles of range per minute of charging). Not class leading but not as bad as it sounds

[@kevinscott8642]

@@TAWithiam Exactly. What matters with charging time is how many miles you’re getting for a given amount of time spent charging. For example, compare it to a Chevy Bolt: Since the Aptera is expected to get more than twice as many miles per kilowatt hour as a Bolt, that means that even at the exact same nominal charging speed, the Aptera will effectively be charging more than twice as fast as the Bolt. And of course, the Aptera’s longer range means fewer/less frequent times needing to stop to charge.

[@Molishious]

So the question is about how to fix it if you have problems and the answer is that we’ll mail you parts? No follow up question? Is wrapping your car every 5 years better or worse for the environment than paint? Don’t know the answer, but personally wouldn’t like the idea of having to wrap the car. The car he gets into that looks finished is a dummy with no battery, the one that actually functions that was used for rides at CES is pretty rough looking but they claim that it was going 20 miles on the power from the sun so that’s good. Hoping to see some real data soon that has range numbers on a known route at a known speed with the amount of energy being captured shown. Glad to see they have a functioning car, but I think they are far from production.

[@FreedomSOURCE]

They definitely were rushing to get to CES, otherwise the show model (one I sat in) would've had the powertrain installed. Regarding repairs, I didn't have much time with them to go too in-depth, but what they did say is that warranty work will be completed by approved shops, while general work (not warranty or HV stuff) could be done at home following the QR code tutorials + shipped parts.

[@stevenlangridge7561]

2008 all over again. We are still waiting for it to come to market. The best reviews are from owners.

[@jatigre1]

Sure, why pay 10k for a mini Chinese car when you can pay 50k?

[@mikenovak5226]

Will never sell a car. All hype. Elio part 2.

[@Lewehot]

Agreed, and if they sell they won’t be able to compete with Tesla. A little car like that can cost $150k at low volumes. Customers want it at a very low price and that won’t happen without volumes and you can’t get volume until lots of people want it, Catch 22. Won’t happen

[@mikenovak5226]

@Lewehot they are planning on selling it for the same price as a model 3. Wich would U rather have?

[@joemurray6323]

This is not a production car they don't make them its jest a concept that they have

[@aussieideasman8498]

Did anyone think to look under the hood? It was most likely short of a motor. Did anyone think to ask why the hood was never up?

[@normang3668]

kzbin.infoD9A1NLVbD0o?si=WJavWz-ZmlQYhtHO 10:30. Yes, they did think to ask. And yes, they did answer the question. Not everything is smoke and mirrors, jackass.

[@casylong8383]

tree stump

[@aussieideasman8498]

@@normang3668 Thank you, but the jackass is you, since the so-called "fully functional production intent" vehicle WAS smoke and mirrors. They would have had to have the hood up to avoid being that, and then they would also have had to stop the lying claim. Didn't you learn in life that it's not silly to ask the questions? My first sentence was a very pertinent question. My second sentence was an excellent suspicion, as it is now confirmed to be correct (thanks once again jackass). And having seen almost 100 videos of Aptera at CES and never getting this until now (from me asking), I can claim this was treated as smoke and mirrors. You can thank the ditz for letting the cat out of the bag on a live stream. Now - with the lies about this, and Aunty getting up on stage at the after party and bragging about asking the engineers to do it three months faster without a hint of saying they took the massive shortcuts on both unbaked PI's - how can you still follow them? I'm going to have to preserve this question. Look for it on my latest video.

[@FreedomSOURCE]

The one I sat inside didn't have the powertrain installed (they ran out of time for CES), but the test mule did. Sounded like they were doing their best to get there in time for CES

[@aussieideasman8498]

@@FreedomSOURCE Interesting that a conversation with @normang3668 has been entirely removed, but you can see it preserved on my latest video. Maybe you removed it? If so, you're a cretin, and need some ethics. If not, @normang3668 is the cretin. Somebody is. As for "Sounded like they were doing their best to get there in time for CES"; I have nothing against them doing that - my concern that is below my standards is the lies involved and the lack of transparency they claim to have. My standards include holding back important information like that being deception - a form of lying in my book. This is also going to get preserved on my site.

[@hectornonayurbusiness2631]

This company has not sold a car in 20 years. I doubt they’ll ever actually bring it to market.

[@adimchionyenadum2962]

The present Aptera, Aptera 2.0, is not 20 years old. It is barely 4 years old.

[@hectornonayurbusiness2631]

@adimchionyenadum2962 this company has still not sold anything in 20 years

[@amosbatto3051]

The original company only existed from 2006 to 2011 and the second iteration of the company since Fall 2019, so the company has only existed for a total of 10.5 years. However, the design of the current Aptera is very different from the Aptera from the first company, so not fair to call it the same car.

[@adimchionyenadum2962]

@amosbatto3051 Neither the car nor the company is the same. The first company was completely liquidated and ceased to exist in 2011. Then, in 2019, the two founders of the company, after separating and engaging in diverse pursuits for 8 whole years, met again and formed a new company in 2019. That is Aptera Motors, the company that is presently producing the Aptera Solar Electric Vehicle (SEV). The thing they have in common are the founders. Apart from that, the former company had another name and was to produce a different vehicle, a hybrid diesel ICE vehicle.

[@hectornonayurbusiness2631]

@@adimchionyenadum2962 His first company didn’t sell anything and now this company hasn’t sold anything. Not a good track record. I’ve been following this company since 2021. The car hasn’t really changed in the last 4 years. It does not take this long to bring it to market. The recent abandonment of the hub motor was also huge. You don’t change something that important when you’re about to go into production. Makes me think these guys were clowning around the past few years and aren’t serious about finishing anything.

[@shrimptopian3392]

he is a good salesman , but a bad ceo

[@netscrooge]

How do you explain the good progress they have made since restarting the company in 2019? That's only six years. That's good for a small team working on such a limited budget.

[@shrimptopian3392]

after 6 years and spending 200 million i expect more the problem is they need another 200 million to really get to production but they can't even raise 60 million ...

[@netscrooge]

​@@shrimptopian3392 Okay, list the startups in this space that have done better on the same or less budget in the same or less time.

[@shrimptopian3392]

that's the problem , they should have stuck to their original plan of low volume production and organic growth Now they want to go from 0 to high volume production , that is possible but you need a billion or more the coming 6 months we will know , no money = over and out

[@fourteenfour1]

@@netscrooge How about opening Vista facility in July of 2022 only to decide to shut it down in the same year but not tell investors, in particular Accelerators, that happened and those same would not find out until Aptera filed their required 2022 EOY numbers on the last day allowed, April 28th 2023. that wasted a few million dollars especially as the required June 30th 2023 update came out on the near last day allowed in September 2023 revealing they paid a million plus penalty for breaking the least on Vista - the supposed place where Solar was in Production now known as yet another lie.