The Aptera looks very like much the cars designed for the solar decathalons, very much like an airplane
As well it should. Steve Fambro - Aptera's daddy - flew sailplanes. He was/is a member of the Vortex Yahoo group and was kicking around design ideas over there for a while before taking the leap into the Aptera. Originally the idea was to build a 300+ mpg vehicle. I have noticed that has been adjusted a bit after "reality fade" set in.
Fambro went to the Mecca of non-government idea banks - the Rutans - for learning composite construction.
I think composite construction is the best hope for a viable electric cycle. With the new A123 style batteries that will be available through tool power surplus, our need for speed and distance my soon be satisfied to a moderate point. We just need to adapt the cells into packs for our bikes.
--------=Doug
