IT’S AN EV BUT IS IT A CAR?

Debate Arises on 3 Wheeler
Stephen Power, September 14, 2009 (Wall Street Journal)

"Is a three-wheeled vehicle an automobile? That question is at the center of a vigorous lobbying effort in Washington…Aptera 2e [is] a machine that looks like a cross between a Cessna plane and a tricycle…[from] Aptera Motors Inc…[The California company] wants to borrow $75 million from a Department of Energy program created by Congress in 2007 to speed development of fuel-efficient cars.

"Aptera's backers include some big-money donors to the Democratic Party, and its quest for help has received a boost from a group of mostly California lawmakers who want to help a home-state enterprise. Allies of Detroit's big auto makers are lined up against them…The DOE ruled last year that the electric 2e didn't qualify under the $25 billion loan program…[becaues the] three-wheeled vehicle doesn't meet the definition of an automobile under federal law…[T]he absence of a fourth wheel was critical to maximizing the vehicle's aerodynamics [according to Aptera]."

From greentechmedia via YouTube

"Enter Congress. A provision in a spending bill approved by the House before its August recess would expand eligibility for the loan program to include any fully enclosed vehicle designed to carry two adults and that averages at least 75 miles a gallon. Those criteria would cover Aptera's [100-mile per electrical charge] vehicle…The legislation, which must still be reconciled with a Senate bill and signed by President Barack Obama, [requires DOE to reconsider rejected applications]…

"Aptera's [California-based and longtime Democratic Party contributing] investors include Idealab Inc., a technology incubator…the philanthropic arm of Google…the Quercus Trust…and the family of James Simons, chairman of Renaissance Technologies…[The reconsideration legislation, however,was] originally proposed by a Republican congressman, Brian Bilbray, whose district is home to Aptera…"

The Tesla got DOE money. There's no reason the Aptera shouldn't. It's very similar, give or take a wheel. (click to enlarge)

"Aptera's quest for federal help raises a bigger question about Washington's effort to subsidize fuel-efficient vehicles: How much of the money should go to traditional companies with the most customers, versus start-ups with unorthodox ideas?

"…A DOE spokeswoman said the Obama administration hadn't taken a position on the provision [but favors backing a full range of technologies]...So far, the agency has awarded roughly $8 billion in loans to three companies: Ford Motor Co., Nissan Motor Co. and Tesla Motors, a California start-up."