The ultra-lightweight, solar-powered three-wheeler by Aptera
Aptera Motors is on a mission to revolutionise electric vehicles from the car design to the technology. They envision cars that are as fast and sleek as road-legal spaceships, topped with solar panels that not only power up their EVs but also mean drivers won't need to plug in for months.
Some background information:
Aptera Motors is an American electric vehicle manufacturer based in San Diego, California. The company was founded in 2005 and has been working on developing ultra-efficient electric vehicles that can travel long distances on a single charge.
The ultra-lightweight and aerodynamic Aptera Launch Edition, drag coefficient of only 0.13, is their flagship solar car. Aptera is constructed with incredibly light composites, making it weigh a whopping 65% less than other electric vehicles on the market. Its curved form is inspired by the physics of an eggshell.
Equipped with 700 watts of proprietary solar tech, the Aptera Launch can go 40 miles (64 km) per day on nothing but sunshine, making it possible to never plug in again.
The company has announced that Southern California drivers who experience high sun exposure could use their Aptera Launch Edition without ever plugging it in, as they typically drive an average of 29 miles (46 km) a day. This three-wheeled, two-seater vehicle accelerates from a standstill to 60 mph (96 km/h) in four seconds and can go up to 400 miles (643 km) between charges.
The company is finalising its fourth product development phase, called Delta, which includes crash testing and validation. They are very close to their goal of getting Aptera into production and making solar mobility a reality for everyone. So 2023 will be an exciting year for Aptera. Of course we will keep you up to date.
Launch Edition specs Core:
Range – 400 miles (643 km)
Drag Coefficient – 0.13
Body – Ultra-light/strong composite BinC
Motor – 3 in-wheel
Drive – All-wheel (3-wheel)
Acceleration – from 0-60 mph (96 km/h) in 4 seconds
Top Speed – 101 mph (162.5 kph)
Seating – 2
Airbag – 2 occupant
Find all specs about interior, exterior and charging here.
Pictures: Aptera Motors