Google.org Invests $2.75M In Aptera Motors

Google's philanthropic arm, Google.org, has just invested the first funds from its RechargeIT program: $5.5 million for plug-in electric vehicles. Half of the money goes to Aptera, whose 230-mpg, 3-wheeled electric we have discussed before. The other half bolsters the efforts of ActaCell, a Texas company working on li-ion battery technology developed at UT Austin.

Comments

Remind me:

[FooAtWFU]

is that 230mpg in gasoline-only operation, or 230mpg when you're cheating by pre-charging it electrically?

Not that precharges are useless but it's not really effective to compare otherwise, and they seem all vague about the pure-gasoline figure.

Re:I said it once and I'll say it again

[pushing-robot]

Yes, it needs to look like a Hummer H1. And still have a 0.11 drag coefficient.

Seriously, what's wrong with form-follows-function? The Prius was considered ugly when it was first released; now it's the sexy, trendy car to own.

Re:I said it once and I'll say it again

[k_187]

The Prius might be the trendy car to own, but its still ugly.

Re:I said it once and I'll say it again

[pushing-robot]

Though the electric assist and regenerative braking mitigates bad driving to some degree, I won't deny that most (American) Prius owners are trying more to be trendy than efficient.