Aptera (solar electric vehicle)
| Aptera Solar EV | |
|---|---|
 First prototype of the Aptera solar powered EV | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Aptera Motors |
| Production | 2025 (planned) |
| Assembly | Carlsbad, California |
| Designer | Jason Hill |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | |
| Body style | 3 door hatchback coupé |
| Layout | front-wheel drive |
| Powertrain | |
| Electric motor | Vitesco Technologies EMR3 axle drive |
| Battery | 25, 42, 60 or 100 kW·h lithium-ion |
| Range | 250, 400, 600 or 1,000 miles (1,600 km) EPA |
| Plug-in charging | |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,743 mm (108 in) |
| Length | 4,496 mm (177 in) |
| Width | 2,225 mm (87.6 in) |
| Height | 1,422 mm (56 in) |
| Curb weight | 816 kg (1,800 lb) for standard 60 kW·h version |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Aptera 2 Series (never produced) |
The Aptera[b] is a two-seat, three-wheeled solar electric vehicle under development by the crowd-funded American car manufacturer Aptera Motors. The stated design goal of the car is to be the most energy efficient mass-produced vehicle ever. The design has an aerodynamic shape and uses lightweight carbon fiber and fiberglass composite materials, and built-in solar cells to significantly extend its range.[1][2] While several prototypes featured in-wheel motors, the production model is designed with a standard three-wheeler front-wheel drive axle.[3]
Prototypes and production
[edit]The company planned delivering production units of the Aptera vehicle in 2021.[4] Four stages of prototypes were planned, with the third stage of prototypes nearing the final production design, and the fourth representing a prototype that's identical to production vehicles.[5]
Aptera announced in June 2022 a detailed plan to scale in-wheel motor production in Slovenia by Elaphe.[6] Due to issues with getting the Aptera in-wheel motor design to production it was replaced in 2024 with a standard front-wheel drive axle design for the production model.[3]
Aptera announced in November 2022 a design change to bodies made of molded carbon fiber. Then in January 2023 it announced a fund drive to raise $50 million. They said they needed at least that amount to start production.[7] The company announced in February that the funds would allow for the "initial phases of production", and the following month said it requires additional funds to produce and deliver vehicles to customers.[8]
Another prototype of the Aptera vehicle was shown at the January 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2025). Company representatives said initial customer deliveries are anticipated by the end of 2025.[9] The prototype shown at CES 2025 was "nearly" ready for production.[10]
-
View of the solar panels throughout the vehicle
Components
[edit]Aptera named Maxeon Solar Technologies as the solar cell provider for the vehicle in October 2022.[11] In March 2023, Aptera announced its use of Comma.ai's Openpilot driver assistance system.[12] As of September 2023, Aptera's partner C.P.C. has stamped the first of Aptera's Body in Carbon (BinC) parts from production tools at its Modena, Italy manufacturing facility.[13]
Design
[edit]The 60 kWh battery version is expected to weigh about 1,800 pounds (820 kg), much lighter than most electric vehicles.[1] It has a NACS connector, and is able to charge at a rate of between 40 and 60 kW.[14]
Aerodynamics
[edit]The Aptera has a claimed coefficient of drag that is very low, at 0.13 as of January 2023.[15] The car was tested at an Italian wind tunnel, the results of which were described by co-CEO Chris Anthony as "pretty pictures".[16]
The Aptera's body shape is similar to earlier design exercises in efficiency, including the "Fusion" human-powered vehicle produced by the Pegasus Research Company in 1984,[17] and the MIT Aztec Solar Car, which won multiple efficiency awards while racing in the American Tour de Sol in 1993.[18]
Notes
[edit]- ^ Compatible with the Tesla Supercharger network.
- ^ The car is homonymous with its manufacturer, Aptera Motors.
References
[edit]- ^ a b Voelcker, John (August 28, 2019). "Exclusive: 3-Wheeled Aptera Reboots as World's Most Efficient Electric Car". IEEE Spectrum. IEEE. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
- ^ "FAQs Archive". Aptera. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
- ^ a b Steve Fambro, "Aptera Update — July 2024", YouTube
- ^ "Aptera - Modernizing Vehicle Design & Manufacturing - INVESTOR PRESENTATION" (PDF), Wefunder, Aptera Motors, retrieved September 20, 2020 – via cloudfront.net
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Sensiba, Jennifer (November 2, 2021). "Aptera Ends Alpha Production, Beta Production Under Way". CleanTechnica. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
- ^ Randall, Chris (June 23, 2022). "Aptera orders in-wheel motors from Elaphe". Electrive. Berlin: Rabbit Publishing GmbH. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
- ^ Dnistran, Iulian (March 16, 2023). "Aptera Extends Its Accelerator Program, Needs More Money To Start Production". Inside EVs. Miami: Motorsport Network. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
- ^ Bengt Halvorson Bengt (March 6, 2024), "Aptera lacks the funds to produce solar EV, hints of design changes", GreenCarReport
- ^ Jameson Dow (January 8, 2025), "Aptera shows its production-intent solar EV at CES, ships this year? (Update)", electrek
- ^ Vijay Pattni (January 7, 2025), "Aptera's self-charging, solar-powered car is (nearly) ready for production", Top Gear
- ^ Dool, Scooter (October 4, 2022). "Aptera names solar cell supplier as it begins panel production for solar EVs that 'never need to charge'". Electrek. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
- ^ Dnistran, Iulian (March 29, 2023). "Aptera Solar EV Will Work With Openpilot, An Open-Source Driver Assistance System". Inside EVs. Miami: Motorsport Network. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
- ^ Nehls (September 25, 2023). "Aptera reveals first composite production parts for BinC vehicle". Composites World. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
- ^ "Charging – Aptera enthusiast blog". Retrieved February 22, 2024.
- ^ https://aptera.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Aptera-Vehicle-Specs.pdf
- ^ https://www.wsj.com/business/entrepreneurship/the-shortcut-that-allows-risky-startups-to-raise-billions-from-rookie-investors-70509a25
- ^ Dempsey, Wayne (February 13, 2021). "HPV Racing History – Pegasus Fusion and Aptera". Recumbents.com. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
- ^ Dempsey, Wayne (February 13, 2021). "MIT Aztec Solar Car". Dempsey Motorsports. Retrieved February 13, 2021.