Aptera's chances of getting DOE loan money improving?

Aptera is planning to build the 2e, a fully electric, extremely efficient, highway-speed vehicle that can seat two occupants, and the company would like to get some funding from the Department of Energy. For its part, the DOE is looking for qualifying companies to grant attractive loans in order to spur the development of efficient cars and trucks. Perfect match, right?

Well, there's just one problem, and it's a biggie. As intriguing as it may be, the Aptera 2e isn't a car, at least not by the strict definition of the word. Because it sports three wheels, the government considers the 2e a motorcycle, which does have its advantages. In this case, though, that tripod arrangement isn't doing Aptera any funding favors.

That soon might change. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) has co-sponsored legislation that would redefine what kind of vehicles would qualify for DOE funding. It seems that this updated legislation has passed through the House and is likely to be voted on in the Senate sometime next week.

If passed, any vehicle that's fully enclosed, designed to carry at least two adults and averages at least 75 mpg would be eligible for funding. Aptera isn't the only company that's interested in seeing this definition changed as the law would apply to any company that meets the updated qualifications.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd]