Aptera Motors Got the Grant for a 3-Wheeled 2-Seater, Ultra-Efficient Solar EV from California Energy Commission

Aptera Motors is a Solar electric vehicle startup based in San Diego, California USA. Aptera has got a grant from the California Energy Commission (CEC). The grant amount is around $21 million. The grant is given to scale manufacturing of the world’s first truly mass-produced solar EV, the Aptera zero-emission vehicle (ZEV).

Electric vehicles are the future of transportation, but the dilemma of range anxiety is still prevalent. Rechargeable batteries with limited range require frequent stops, which can become a hindrance on long journeys. But Aptera, a California-based EV manufacturer, is attempting to solve this problem by integrating solar panels into their cars.

Introducing the Aptera Launch Edition

Aptera’s first solar EV, the Launch Edition, is expected to hit the roads by the end of this year. The car’s futuristic design is comprised of a teardrop shape to optimize aerodynamics, and it’s covered in solar cells, allowing it to capture energy from the sun on the go.

3 Wheeled 2-Seater solar EV

Aptera is a three-wheeled two-seater, ultra-efficient solar EV, with the option of plug-in charging. However, 40 miles of daily driving can be achieved using embedded solar panel power.  Moreover, the combination of solar and plug-in charging can give a range of up to 1,000 clean miles. Aptera’s offering will be the first of many solar mobility products. 

Aptera Motors
Image Credit Autocar Professional

Aptera’s solar technology

Aptera’s solar panels, which cover every inch of the car’s exterior, have a total surface area of 34 square feet. They can generate up to 700 watts of energy per hour when exposed to the sun, which is enough to power the car’s air conditioning for the same period. If the car is parked in direct sunlight for nine hours, it can generate up to 6 miles of power per hour.

The solar panels are not only efficient but are also lightweight and flexible, making them a perfect choice for EVs. Moreover, the energy generated by the solar panels is stored in an onboard battery, which can provide an additional 40 miles of range per day.

Features of Aptera

The ultra-efficient design of Aptera delivers more than twice the MPGe and lower Green House Gases emissions as compared to most other ZEVs. It is a carbon-neutral vehicle. As the project is supported by the CEC, we can expect the early mass entry of the zero-emission vehicle soon. 

It is good to share that Aptera is not the first solar EV to be manufactured. It is the Lightyear 0. However, Aptera is the first EV that is ready for mass production. Aptera will make cleaner and more reliable EVs available to more people. It will make mobility grid-free and carbon-neutral and will create jobs for all Californians.  

Aptera is Inspired by race cars and fighter jets, it has a safety cell, Body in Carbon (BINC), that is stronger than steel. It has an acceleration of 0 to 60 mph in 4 seconds. Its Aerodynamic Design, Lightweight Composite Materials, Efficient Drivetrain, and Solar Recharging Capabilities gives nearly five times the range than most other electric vehicles. It has In-Wheel Motors and 32.5 Cubic Feet of Storage.

The EV can perform in (-) 20 to 125 degrees Fahrenheit. It has an all-wheel-drive (AWD) and vectorized torque control. It can go in the snow, ice, sand, or even in gravel.

Price and Availability

Aptera will bear a price tag between $25,900 to $46,000. It will depend on the range and options. The goal is to make Aptera suitable for everyone who wishes to drive an efficient EV. Aptera will begin production in late 2023.

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