Alright ! The Drivetrain Is Lockdown ! 

As an early accelerator investor, this news actually makes me super happy and even more confident! Using proven and reliable drivetrain by a manufacturer that’s been in millions of vehicles makes total sense for many many reasons. But,, the description DOES indeed suggest either Tesla or BYD. Personally my bet is on Tesla. There’s many hints in different comments by Chris that it’s Tesla. 1) Sandy Munros connections to Tesla 2) Aptera’s public push for NACs charge plug 3) Chris’s joking about one of Teslas future vehicles under wrap being an Aptera. 4) Tesla has already started selling its Chargers to other parties. I believe this concept has been worked on in secret as a back up for quite awhile. Since Chris Clearly said the design is well fleshed out, and being validated could also mean Tesla is helping with the design. I know SOME people have very negative opinions about Tesla, and or Elon, there is absolutely undeniably no arguing that we wouldn’t be where we are today without Elon and Tesla. Their drivetrains are designed for 1,000,000 mile lifespans, are probably only 2nd in efficiency to Lucid. Sooo, extreme longevity, proven tech in millions of vehicles, great efficiency,, isn’t that what we want in our LE Aptera’s?

If Aptera has leaked that this new drivetrain is in "millions of vehicles," that means China's BYD, Tesla, or Bosch. There are many, many other motor makers, but it's a small group that has motors in "millions of vehicles."

BYD electric buses have in wheel motors.

I would be happy with a FWD drivetrain with the ability to retrofit the rear hub motor once they have that version in production

This is definitely concerning. Part of the excitement I have for the vehicle is that in-wheel motors will eliminate moving parts and therefore increase reliability. Plus all-wheel drive is fantastic for Massachusetts snow storms. I may have to reconsider my interest in early Aptera if these upcoming changes are bad, but I will be patient and withhold judgement until we receive the official news.

I really doubt the motors are from Tesla. More likely BYD. Assuming Chris didn't exaggerate the numbers they are the only options i know. BYD would be interesting because that would also open the door on getting high quality LFP batteries in the future which would be amazing for the future of Aptera.

I don't understand how Aptera can go from hub motors to a drivetrain? It sounds like a collaboration with Tesla based on what Chris said about "millions' of these drivetrains on the road. It sounds exciting and a little alarming . So far Aptera has not disappointed.

Any drive-train change concerns me at this point, but I fall back on Aptera's sound engineering and excellent decision making, and patiently wait for what the announcement has to hold. I am also grateful that the announcement is only about a week out. Thank you William!

Way too much supposition with no factual information. How about everyone just sit back and wait for information from Aptera?

BYD Seagull is a great representation of how far Chinese EVs have come in terms of price and quality. Starting at $9,700 (69,800 yuan), the mini EV is powered by BYD’s cutting-edge Blade batteries, available in either 30 kilowatt-hour or 38 kWh capacities. That’s enough to deliver 190 miles (305 km) and 252 miles (405 km) of CLTC range.

Although it's not the most innovative approach, using a centralized power unit with front CV axles for the first version of the vehicle might be the best way to ensure reliability and cost-effectiveness. Key Points: Proven Reliability: Drive axles are a familiar system with a long track record of reliability. CV axles have been engineered for decades, with tens of millions built and deployed. Simplified Design: Centralized power unit and front CV axles reduce parts count (one motor instead of two or three, way less copper). They are self-contained, all lubrication is onboard within the boots. Cost-Effectiveness: CV axles are rugged and cheap. This setup economizes the build, making the vehicle more cost-effective. Performance Benefits: Reduces unsprung weight significantly. Less torque on the front suspension arms compared to in-wheel motors. Personal Preference: FWD vehicles offer a balanced mix of performance, traction, reliability, efficiency, driving friendliness, and safety. FWD has been proven effective since the 2CV. Also, if most of the braking is done by the motor separate from the wheel and through a drive axle, than you also eliminate the torque created on the front control arms during braking, which is significant, especially during a hard stop.

This is where Elio Motors ran off the rails. They were trying to reinvent the four stroke that turned into a money pit. I hope the in-wheel motors work out. Tesla has a great drive train hopefully Tesla will be the supplier.

Lucid's motor is smaller and more efficient then anything Tesla makes!

Going from in-wheel to inboard mounted motors would mean vastly different operational dynamics, likely requiring significant revision to the whole drivetrain and it's rather late in the game to be doing such a major change. Obviously something is going on but I hope they're still doing in-wheel and that the cryptic wording just them trying to talk around the issue until a contract is signed and legal.

More likely the motor is from China. Not sure where else they have millions of EVs.

As for traction, if you have 66% of the weight and therefore traction on 2/3's of the wheels and these are the wheels providing traction? This is actually really good. This is a good compromise between AWD and traditional 2WD with four wheels. I drive a Fiat Abarth right now and there is significant weight over the front wheels as compared to the rear. It's actually awesome in winter and snow. Think about it: Aptera is not dragging around two wheels in the back with half the weight of the car on those wheels. It's only dragging around one, and with much less weight on it than the traction wheels. I totally agree, in-wheel motors and AWD would be a great option for later. But I'm on board with a simpler, cheaper (and I think more reliable) option for the launch, and FWD with this configuration will be awesome, you'll see.

Words can't describe when this vehicle is released the world hasn't got a clue what's coming yet

“Working on” doesn’t sound like “in lockdown”.

i dont know who will be the supplier but it will be good and right to repair is a big part of my excitement for this product

I'm very curious what the drivetrain will be. Will it be a different hub motor or will they put in something more traditional for front wheel drive?

Looking at the current frame design I can't see any way to fit in a motor and axle in that frame. Does that mean there has to be a Transmision now?

AWD is very important to me for snow. I am glad I have a 600-mile version reserved. I would be mad if I was an accelerator and ended up with 2WD.

“Vehicles” could include motorcycles in which some are using in wheel motors. I know Yamaha is making electric motors under the Alive brand.

Even a single-wheel-drive unit would rock. I don't care about winning races, and it would shed 50 lbs off the weight, so fuel economy would be even better. To me this is a no-brainer to offer a one-wheel drive unit.

"Millions of vehicles" ... does not necessarily men it has to be in the USA. Could it be China? Also, isn't a "drive train" less efficient than in-wheel motors? This is because every time there is transferred energy, there's loss, no?

I just want the option to retrofit to hub motors in the future. I will deal with a transaxle if I have to, but I would really like to get away from a universal joint with a boot. It's a common failure point.

I think it's a good way to go. Lower components cost and lower unsprung weight. Front wheel drive three wheeler is the way to go.

Glad to see rational discussion here. The AOC channel basically has every Aptera troll online exclaiming that the drivetrain will now be inboard motors supplied by tesla. It's the dumbest shit you'll ever see in regards to SEVs.

I had a 2013 Fiat 500e and Bosch did the drivetrain and battery for Fiat from 2013-2019. Bosch does a lot of electric motors even though my wish would be the new Tesla hairpin motor with no rare earth materials for a super efficient and low cost unit, but probably way overpowered for Aptera

GKN Automotive's plug-and-play modular eCrate electric drive unit? (cost-effective off-the-shelf eDrives for niche and low volume OEMs and conversion companies?🤔) Would fit the ethos of right to repair since it seems to be "plug and play"🤔 If you needed to replace the motor, should be rather easy to do. I think it would offer torque vectoring too.

Which Chinese company produces in-wheel motors?

I know that there will be a lot of people that back out of their purchase if they can’t keep the in wheel motors.

So does this mean all wheel drive will not be filled. No problem, but need to know.

Sad that IWM will not be a thing and AWD as well for the launch vehicle but I think having a cutting edge ultra aerodynamic vehicle is something I will still be happy to settle with.

Valeo Siemens?

No skin cooling, no in wheel motors, not looking into new battery technology with cheaper sodium batteries and now a possible Tesla drive train? AND they're charging us $6k more than promised? All deal breakers

Glad I'm not waiting on one of these, elaphe hub motors are fine, a video on nothing, sounds more like they are still trying to figure out something, you cant just throw any old motors in there, without redesign the front end. I suspect they will run out of money way before any production, you see this business model relies on new investors to remain afloat. Look at Flux Power the parent company of Chris Anthonys' is going under big time, never made a profit and the head had just sold $400,000 in stock, getting out just before it crumbles. If aptera directors start selling stock you know your not getting anything. This is their business model, run at a loss until you go brankrupt, but make money from stocks and investors, its sort of briliant model in a way, directors cant loose, but investors can...........its right there to see for yourselves. Damn I wish they would just do the right thing and get production going, rather than going down a route which is going to cause so loss and grief for so many people. You see they need constant delays so that real production never happens.....seems prett obvious.

Maybe Can am?

I, to all,🎉🎉 love to all of my Logos, enitties 🙏🎉, from I.in, Jamaica 🇯🇲

I’m starting to feel like an Elio investor, these people are acting like Elon with all the promises and short falls, yes soon next year crap, it’s like playing face down cards and they keep shuffling the cards.

Maybe tesla is making in wheel motors for the robotaxi since the robotaxi is a 3 wheel autocycle. Another option might be is, tesla aquired elaphae

Hoping that, although the PIs may use traditional motor for the front, I certainly hope thst the LE builds and future releases will use the in wheel motors for all wheels. I may have to wait awhile to get all in wheel motors. If Elaphe is not the company then, which will it be? Have to wait and see.

I am almost certain the motor will be a Tesla. GREAT NEWS!

Maybe protean?

They are talking about a drivetrain in millions of vehicles? It could be three different companies in my opinion. Hyundai, Tesla, or BYD. (Unless they're talking about an electric motorcycle company that I'm not aware of because they did say "vehicles" and not specifically cars)

Yasa axial flux electric motors is the new supplier for the Aptera drivetrain.

Aptera is officially blowing it with this last minute change

So now after all these months they have decided on something completely different for the motors??? Unbelievable. Do these people test as they develop or what? Another Starliner? I hope not

Tesla Motors???

So they said motors in millions of vehicles... But not what kind of vehicle? Given the rear wheel suspension... Who makes electric motorcycles? Thoughts?

Msrp?

I think that the world market is haywire right now.

I don't think it's tesla? You're sure they got millions of vehicles out, maybe toyota

Possibly Mercedes yasa motor

This is mindblowing. They are about to ditch the in-wheel motors? Maybe it will have a Tesla motor at the front connected to a conventional transaxle?

It's NOT Tesla.

It is confusing to everyone, so WHY did you comment or even produce this video? For the $$$? I think so!!! And that's a pretty shallow excuse.

I'm beginning to worry that the launch edition is going cost north of $50k. I will pay $40k for it but any more than that makes it too expensive for a two seat economy car.

They are in big big problems, financially, technically The live video was a desperate video begging for more money and try to cover their buts about the drivetrain The coming 3 months will be critical

So no hub motor in front. Maybe later😢, it made my designs not to invest anymore, 5000 could of been 10000 to much convison

Wow! Tesla electric motors? It makes sense being that Aptera is using the NACs charger. It would make sense, wouldn't it? Who else could streamline the electrical system better, faster, and accurately? Who else has a head start on EV design? Who else has millions of vehicles on the road with electric motors? If it was anyone else, it would definitely surprise me.

Wow just took 14 years to figure out a power train. How old is this teck going to be if it is ever made. What a joke.

Protean. Sandy Munro working with protean for long time, ?? Of course only speculation