Federal bill could redefine motorcycles and sideline three-wheeled autocycles : micromobility@lemmy.world

[–] artyom@piefed.social 13 points 9 months ago

tl;dr

The Motorcycle Industry Council has formally opposed the bill, warning lawmakers that removing autocycles from the current motorcycle definition without creating a separate federal safety category would place them in “classification limbo,” making it illegal to sell or register them.

permalink

fedilink

source

[–] HubertManne@piefed.social 6 points 9 months ago (10 children)

I wonder how this would effect the aptera. I was wondering if it would still be made in the us and so far it is. Funny if they sunk this rare us made thing.

permalink

fedilink

source

hideshow 10 child comments

[–] artyom@piefed.social 2 points 9 months ago (9 children)

I was wondering if it would still be made

I wondered that for about 4 years, then decided it won't and got a refund

permalink

fedilink

source

parent

hideshow 9 child comments

[–] HubertManne@piefed.social 2 points 9 months ago (7 children)

I did not pre order one. I think they will be made based on their current direction but I have been wondering if the tarrifs would sink them and this thing seems like another thing that could.

permalink

fedilink

source

parent

hideshow 7 child comments

[–] artyom@piefed.social 2 points 9 months ago* (6 children)

They first promised production by "end of 2022". That date came and went and what we got instead was another prototype, and zero explanation of what happened. Then they changed the entire structure of the chassis from a composite material to forged carbon fiber and released like a dozen more prototypes. Then they decided the entire powertrain they were planning to use wasn't viable and completely replaced that as well, losing AWD in the process, making them FWD only. Cue more "production intent" prototypes. That's when I decided they had no intention of ever selling these. They had ample opportunities but chose instead to spend their time making fundamental design changes. They've pushed back the delivery date time and time again, without notification or explanation.

permalink

fedilink

source

parent

hideshow 6 child comments

[–] HubertManne@piefed.social 1 point 9 months ago (5 children)

I mean Im not sure what you were expecting. The original thing did not work out or worked out great and is a big example of how these things should go. They did not make a product but folks got their money back by selling the patents and such. This go round came up because they realized the patents were available real cheap and advances in electric and solar made it an interesting way to go. Something like this of course is going to make design changes before they get locked in and the 2022 was never going to make it once covid hit which is something that effected all businesses. What 5d eveil scheme do you think is their ultimate goal if not to produce a vehicle. I mean even though its missed delivery its made steady progress. The have running vehicles they have sussed out the line. I think they will go to production barring the tariffs or laws like this sinking it.

permalink

fedilink

source

parent

hideshow 5 child comments

[–] artyom@piefed.social 1 point 9 months ago (4 children)

I mean Im not sure what you were expecting

I was expecting them to deliver a vehicle I could actually purchase.

The original thing did not work out

How do you know that? Did you receive one?

2022 was never going to make it once covid hit

COVID hit several years prior and it's been several years since, and still not a single vehicle delivered.

What 5d eveil scheme do you think is their ultimate goal

Same goal as most startups, take money from investors and eventually sell to some big corporation.

I mean even though its missed delivery its made steady progress

Completely redesigning the vehicle is not progress, that's regress.

permalink

fedilink

source

parent

hideshow 4 child comments

[–] HubertManne@piefed.social 2 points 9 months ago (2 children)

its not a complete redesign between the first and last prototypes but you really do want to do changes before you start production. As far as how do I know the story is around. Im going to guess wikipedia goes through it but I was actually around when they did their first thing and it excited me just like this one but I did not put in for either. I might have if I was at a higher level of disposable income at either time than I am/was. It was only later that I found out they where able to end it on an even steven level though which impressed me when I saw the aptera reboot. Anyway I looked it up and here is the wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aptera_Motors although It seems off to me. I swear the initial car was not even electric but a very efficient ice engine maybe hybrid.

permalink

fedilink

source

parent

hideshow 2 child comments

[–] artyom@piefed.social 1 point 9 months ago (1 child)

its not a complete redesign between the first and last prototypes

Brother, they redesigned the entire chassis and powertrain, among other things. I don't understand how you can say that.

permalink

fedilink

source

parent

hideshow 1 child comment

[–] HubertManne@piefed.social 1 point 9 months ago

yeah and I get the independent electric motor to the combined is a big issue but it sounds like more than it is with those terms when you look at the design of the vehicle.

permalink

fedilink

source

parent