Aptera (solar electric vehicle)

The Aptera solar electric vehicle (sEV) is a two-seat, three-wheeled vehicle under development by the crowd-funded relaunched company, Aptera Motors. The Aptera's declared primary design goal is to be the world's most energy efficient vehicle in mass production. The design features an aerodynamic shape, the use of lightweight carbon fiber and fiberglass composite materials, wheel hub motors, and built-in solar panels to significantly extend its range.[1][2]

Aptera solar EV
First prototype of the Aptera solar powered EV
Overview
ManufacturerAptera Motors
Production2024 (to commence)
AssemblyCarlsbad, California
DesignerJason Hill
Body and chassis
Class
Body style3 door hatchback coupé
Layout2 or 3 wheel hub motors
Powertrain
Electric motor2 or 3 × 42 kW from Elaphe Ltd.
Battery25, 42, 60 or 100 kW·h lithium-ion
Range250, 400, 600 or 1,000 miles (1,600 km) EPA
Plug-in charging
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,743 mm (108 in)
Length4,496 mm (177 in)
Width2,225 mm (87.6 in)
Height1,422 mm (56 in)
Curb weight816 kg (1,800 lb) for standard 60 kW·h version
Chronology
PredecessorAptera 2 Series (never produced)

History

The Aptera vehicle's development was planned to progress through a series of prototype phases: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, leading to their Delta phase vehicle. Three Alpha prototypes were built to validate the basic vehicle design and provide rough functionality. The Beta prototype incorporated functional improvements learned from the Alpha prototypes. Gamma would iron out production details, and Delta would be the production-intent vehicle. [3] In June 2022, Aptera announced detailed plan to scale in-wheel motor production in Slovenia by Elaphe. Up to 100,000 units are to be produced annually in a new 160,000 square foot R&D and production centre. [4] Aptera named Maxeon Solar Technologies as the solar cell provider for the Aptera vehicle in October 2022.[5] The Gamma Aptera prototype was unveiled in December featuring a touch screen center console and improved head and legroom, 2022.[6] In January 2023, Aptera announced that it needed $50 million to start assembly. Shortly thereafter, it received a $21 million grant from the California Energy Commission (CEC).[7] Since then the Accelerator program has eclipsed that matching grant amount.[8] In March 2023, Aptera announced its use of Comma.ai's Openpilot driver assistance system.[9] 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.[10] The Aptera sEV has over 40,000 reservations as of 2023.[11]

Design

The 60 kWh battery version is expected to weigh about 1,800 pounds (820 kg), much lighter than most electric vehicles.[1]

References
  1. Voelcker, John (August 28, 2019). "Exclusive: 3-Wheeled Aptera Reboots as World's Most Efficient Electric Car". IEEE Spectrum. IEEE. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  2. "FAQs Archive". Aptera. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  3. Sensiba, Jennifer (November 2, 2021). "Aptera Ends Alpha Production, Beta Production Under Way". CleanTechnica. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  4. Randall, Chris (June 23, 2022). "Aptera orders in-wheel motors from Elaphe". Electrive. Berlin: Rabbit Publishing GmbH. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  5. 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.
  6. Dnistran, Iulian (December 13, 2023). "Aptera Gamma Shows Its Center Touchscreen In Latest Development Video". Inside EVs. Miami: Motorsport Network. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  7. 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.
  8. "Aptera Leaderboard". Aptera Leaderboard. Aptera. October 3, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  9. 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.
  10. Nehls (September 25, 2023). "Aptera reveals first composite production parts for BinC vehicle". Composites World. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  11. Krivevski, Blagojce (January 21, 2023). "Aptera Unveils Production-Intent Launch Edition". ElectricCarsReport.com. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
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