Vatercar

A terrible new company called Aptera is making life harder for all of us. Yes, they really are. As a matter of fact they are doing one of the most dastardly deeds any company can do, they are undermining our excuses not to buy the things they make. Such forward and grotesque marketing techniques, namely making products that we should all actually buy simply make life unbearable at times.

So what does Aptera make? They make cars, but not just any cars, two cars. They will soon be releasing their two initial offerings to the automotive market: the "Typ-1 e", an all electric vehicle targeted for release next year, and the "Typ-1 h", a hybrid version of the same vehicle with a proposed 2009 release.

The word hybrid has become quite a buzz-word these days, and a lot of people have been very disappointed with the performance of their fancy new gadget-cars. According to wired.com's John Gartner:

In Consumer Reports' real-world driving test, the Civic Hybrid averaged 26 mpg in the city, while the Toyota Prius averaged 35 mpg, much less than their respective EPA estimates of 47 and 60 mpg.

So what is so different about Aptera's hybrid that it is worth blogging (and believe me when I say I am not the only person blogging Aptera!)? Well it could be that Aptera's hybrid claims an impressive 300mpg, or it could be that the Typ-1 h will be offered for under $30,000, or it could be that for that rather ordinary car-price of 30 grand you get a car that looks extraordinarily like something out of the jetsons. Whatever it is, the Typ-1 h is making quite a splash.. but not quite as big as the Typ-1 e.

Why don't we all buy electric cars?

• The range is far too short.
• The price is far too high.
• The speed is far too slow.
• The chances of killing a blind person are far too high.

All fine reasons to not buy Aptera's new Typ-1 e... and then their dastardly marketing ploys kick in.

• The Aptera Typ-1 e has a range of approximately 120 miles; Plenty for a commuter car.
• The Aptera Typ-1 e will be sold at prices of $30,000 and below.
• The Aptera Typ-1 e will have a top speed over 85 mph and will achieve 0-60 in under 10 seconds.
• The Aptera Typ-1 e will be followed on the streets by a constant "oo" of impressed onlookers. The blind will know you are coming.

Oh but we aren't done yet my friends. They keep going!

The Aptera Typ-1 e/h, due to its 3 wheeled design and wheel placement, is technically considered a motorcycle... that means single occupancy HOV lane usage! I told you this thing was a commuter.

A typical charge of the Type-1 e will take 2-4 hours, and based on current California energy prices will cost between 1 and 2 dollars...

Now just make that energy wave powered and you really are quite good to go.

Additional Video: http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/4237853.html?page=1