Used EV prices have come down quite a bit. There’s a solar EV startup called Aptera that’s making a super efficient EV that the base model will sell for around $26k before tax incentives, so a new one could theoretically, potentially be under $20k.
They seem to be getting close. I think they have all the funding they need now, they’re planning to start production around the end of the year. I think they’re starting to make their first production-intent parts and are validating performance, hopefully soon we’ll see some crash test results. My biggest concern at the moment is what happens when you hit a pothole at 70+ mph since the motors are in the wheels
They are already certified road-worthy for Canada. So they have passed all their safety requirements for Canada. This would indicate they could also pass US road-worthiness testing too. But the cost would be too much for them at this point in time. If they catch on, it should take little beyond paying for the certifications to sell in the US.
There’s also Edison Motors that are taking preorders for Diesel/EV hybrids for pickup trucks. They’re pro Right to Repair and the hybrids will be Plugin type, so for short trips, should be pure EV. If you want a pure EV truck the whole way, you should be able to remove the engine and put more batteries in, but they want to have as few of options for the preorder to simplify things. Converting an old square body truck in way more useful and cheaper then buying a Cybertruck.
Edison Motors, while a great idea, is aimed at the heavy duty and off-road commercial space. Even they admit that their semi doesn’t really make sense for over the road trucks. There is little to no gain in it. Same with work pickups. But for some, think heavy duty off road repair vehicles, it can make sense.
I’m pulling for them though. I hope they make it big if for no other reason than to push the right to repair with common parts be the norm again.
Used EV prices have come down quite a bit. There’s a solar EV startup called Aptera that’s making a super efficient EV that the base model will sell for around $26k before tax incentives, so a new one could theoretically, potentially be under $20k.
I’ll belive it when I see it
They seem to be getting close. I think they have all the funding they need now, they’re planning to start production around the end of the year. I think they’re starting to make their first production-intent parts and are validating performance, hopefully soon we’ll see some crash test results. My biggest concern at the moment is what happens when you hit a pothole at 70+ mph since the motors are in the wheels
The renders on their website look insane. Hyper efficient sure, let’s see how well it does in a rollover.
Aging Wheels got to test drive one around for a bit if you want to see.
Canada has already certified Edison trucks to be road-worthy. They just need to start building them now.
They are already certified road-worthy for Canada. So they have passed all their safety requirements for Canada. This would indicate they could also pass US road-worthiness testing too. But the cost would be too much for them at this point in time. If they catch on, it should take little beyond paying for the certifications to sell in the US.
Lol yeah it’s been 20 years. Will be amazing if it ever launches.
There’s also Edison Motors that are taking preorders for Diesel/EV hybrids for pickup trucks. They’re pro Right to Repair and the hybrids will be Plugin type, so for short trips, should be pure EV. If you want a pure EV truck the whole way, you should be able to remove the engine and put more batteries in, but they want to have as few of options for the preorder to simplify things. Converting an old square body truck in way more useful and cheaper then buying a Cybertruck.
Edison Motors, while a great idea, is aimed at the heavy duty and off-road commercial space. Even they admit that their semi doesn’t really make sense for over the road trucks. There is little to no gain in it. Same with work pickups. But for some, think heavy duty off road repair vehicles, it can make sense.
I’m pulling for them though. I hope they make it big if for no other reason than to push the right to repair with common parts be the norm again.
The pickup truck conversion is what I was focused on. I personally have a use case for those and I simply can’t see a use case for the Cybertruck.