Aptera to go to Washington to fight for DOE loans

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Aptera wants a piece of the $25 Department of Energy Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Program loan pie. Unfortunately for the California startup they can't have any because the program is companies making high efficiency "cars." That means vehicles that pass all federal motor vehicle safety standards. The tear drop shaped Aptera may have very low drag and be very light weight, but, as we mentioned yesterday, it only has three wheels and does not meet all the safety requirements put on a car and is thus classified as a motorcycle (albeit a full bodied one) just like the Zap Xebra and other startups.

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/03/13/aptera-to-go-to-washington-to-fight-for-doe-loans/

I have mixed feelings about this. In a collision with a heavier car the Aptera will provide little more protection than a motorcycle, and IMO consumers are entitled to a higher standard of safety. On the other hand, crash testing costs $tens of millions, far beyond the reach of most EV startups.

One solution might be a testing subsidy for qualifying companies. :shrug: