Aptera Motors secures production slots for first 2,000 Launch Edition vehicles
San Diego, California. The Aptera, a futuristic-looking electric vehicle first introduced in 2007 by a Californian startup, is finally entering production. After a year-long crowdfunding campaign, production slots have been secured for the first 2,000 Aptera Launch Edition solar electric vehicles.
Designed for maximum range
The two-seater vehicle, which looks like it came out of a science fiction movie, has a teardrop design that achieves a very low drag coefficient (0.13 Cd), promising maximum range.
Powered by the sun
Thanks to the 700-watt solar panels on the top of the vehicle, the vehicle can travel 40 miles on a single day of sunlight. The three-wheeled vehicle, which comes with a 60 kWh battery and is said to be usable without charging at all during certain times of the year, offers a range of 400 miles on a single charge.
A long road to production
The vehicle, for which a pre-production prototype was first prepared in 2009, could not go into production due to delays and the company’s financial difficulties. The partners, who had to close the company, first sold the intellectual property to the Chinese. They then bought it back in 2019.
Pricing and performance
The Aptera, which is estimated to have received over 20,000 pre-orders, has a starting price of $25,000. The vehicle, which has two or three hub motor options, offers 174 horsepower in the top configuration. Thanks to its lightweight, composite body, it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4 seconds. The top speed of the vehicle is determined as 100 mph.
A new chapter in electric mobility
The Aptera’s entry into production marks a new chapter in electric mobility. With its innovative design, solar charging capabilities, and impressive performance, the Aptera has the potential to revolutionize the way we think about transportation.
