The Aptera is a three-wheeled, two-passenger
solar electric vehicle
A solar vehicle or solar electric vehicle is an electric vehicle powered completely or significantly by direct solar energy. Usually, photovoltaic (PV) cells contained in solar panels convert the sun's energy directly into electric energy. ...
, the third revision of the previous
Aptera 2 Series
The Aptera 2 Series (formerly the Aptera Typ-1) was a high-efficiency three-wheeled passenger car designed by Aptera Motors that failed to reach production.
The first model of the 2 Series slated for production was the Aptera 2e (formerly Typ-1e ...
vehicle by startup
Aptera Motors
Aptera Motors (formerly Accelerated Composites) is an American startup high-efficiency car company based in Carlsbad, California.
The original company, Aptera Motors, Inc., was founded in 2005 and liquidated in 2011.
In 2019, Aptera Motors w ...
. It is a highly efficient
battery electric vehicle
A battery electric vehicle (BEV), pure electric vehicle, only-electric vehicle, fully electric vehicle or all-electric vehicle is a type of electric vehicle (EV) that exclusively uses chemical energy stored in rechargeable battery packs, ...
(BEV) with built-in solar panels on the roof and dashboard, and optionally on the hood and hatch, featuring two or three
wheel hub motor
The wheel hub motor (also called wheel motor, wheel hub drive, hub motor or in-wheel motor) is an electric motor that is incorporated into the hub of a wheel and drives it directly.
History
* First wheel motor concept: Wellington Adams of ...
s and an estimated range of up to with its biggest battery pack.
Efficiency
Aptera's efficiency is obtained by combining two factors: low drag aerodynamics and lightweight resin-filled sandwich-composite construction. Its calculated
automobile drag coefficient
The drag coefficient is a common measure in automotive design as it pertains to aerodynamics. Drag is a force that acts parallel to and in the same direction as the airflow. The drag coefficient of an automobile measures the way the automobile ...
was optimized via simulations to 0.13, significantly lower than any other production motorcycle or car. The 60 kWh battery version weighs only .
The company says its calculations and simulations show the resulting Aptera requires less than 100 Wh of energy per mile on the EPA combined city and highway test cycle, making it about 2.5 times as energy efficient as the quite efficient Tesla Model 3.
The Aptera's body design is similar to earlier design exercises in efficiency, including the "Fusion" human-powered vehicle produced by the Pegasus Research Company in 1984,
and the MIT Aztec Solar Car, which won multiple efficiency awards while racing in the American Tour de Sol in 1993.
Unique low drag cooling system
Aptera's unique active cooling system aids in minimizing drag and reducing its weight. Traditional radiators with fans add drag and weight to most vehicles, including most BEVs. Aptera's designers found another way to radiate the vehicle's heat without traditional drag-inducing radiators, a technique first used by animals: the Aptera's resin composite skin contains many microfluidic channels filled with a coolant to transfer heat from the batteries, motors and solar panels to the underbelly and sides of the vehicle.
Solar Charging
![APTERA2019 ASPHALT-DOORS-CLOSED crop](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c3/APTERA2019_ASPHALT-DOORS-CLOSED_crop.jpg)
With the full solar package option almost 700 watts of embedded solar cells mounted on the roof, hood, dashboard and hatch will add up to 41 miles of range per day under ideal conditions.
[ Since most drivers drive less than 30 miles per day, this feature will allow such users to seldom, if ever, need to plug in to charge the batteries. Thus the Aptera was at first promoted as the world's first "Never Charge" EV.] The company's web site features a calculator that allows users to estimate how often to charge an Aptera based on their location and driving distance.
In October, 2022, the company announceed tha
Maxeon Solar Technologies
will be the supplier of the solar cells. The custom 2 dimensionally curved panels will be manufactured in house by Aptera Motors from Maxeon cells.
AC and DC Charging
The Aptera will also be able to charge from standard 120 and 240-volt AC outlets using standard Level 1 and Level 2 charging station equipment. In January 2020, Aptera Co-CEO Chris Anthony said that the vehicle will also accept high speed charges from CCS DC chargers.
On December 4, 2020, Aptera Motors revealed the Aptera solar-powered prototype including a photo showing what appears to be a Tesla Supercharger
A Tesla Supercharger is a 480-volt direct current fast-charging technology built by American vehicle manufacturer Tesla, Inc. for electric cars. The Supercharger network was introduced on September 24, 2012, with six Supercharger stations ...
shaped connector being plugged into the Aptera's charging port. In July, 2022, the company started promoting the idea of making the Tesla charging station plug a US standard, making it eligible for US charging infrastructure grants. In November Tesla announced it was revising and opening its proprietary charging system to all, naming it the North American Charging Standard (NACS). A few weeks later Aptera confirmed it would use the newly opened Tesla NACS system and had selecte
Lectron EV
as its EV charging equipment supplier.
Motors
Customers can reserve an Aptera with either two or three wheel hub motor
The wheel hub motor (also called wheel motor, wheel hub drive, hub motor or in-wheel motor) is an electric motor that is incorporated into the hub of a wheel and drives it directly.
History
* First wheel motor concept: Wellington Adams of ...
s for front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive (FWD) is a form of engine and transmission layout used in motor vehicles, where the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel drive vehicles feature a transverse engine, rather than the conventional longitu ...
or all-wheel drive
An all-wheel drive vehicle (AWD vehicle) is one with a powertrain capable of providing power to all its wheels, whether full-time or on-demand.
The most common forms of all-wheel drive are:
;1x1 : All unicycles Reflecting one axle with one w ...
. Each motor is capable of 50 kW (67 horsepower). The in-wheel electric motor provider has been selected to be Elaphe Ltd.
Lightweight composite body
Aptera's body contains very little metal. The majority of the body is made of Carbon Fiber Sheet Molding Compound CF-SMC, combined with fiberglass Sheet Molding Compound
Sheet moulding compound (SMC) or sheet moulding composite is a ready to mould glass-fibre reinforced polyester material primarily used in compression moulding. The sheet is provided in rolls weighing up to 1000 kg. Alternatively the resin a ...
(SMC). This was revealed in a press release in November, 2022.
Carbon Fiber Sheet Molding Compound is a lightweight material consisting of a random arrangement of short fibers that make it possible to mold intricately shaped parts. It offers much higher stiffness and strength than standard SMC or sheet metal parts. Because SMC can be press-molded, this process substantially reduces manufacturing time and therefore cost for Aptera's body panels.
Aptera also revealed it has signed an agreement with th
C.P.C. Group
of Modena, Italy to produce its composite bodies. C.P.C Group's other customers for custom CF-SMC body parts include Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Maserati, BMW, and Lotus.
Size
Although a three-wheeled Coupé for 2 passengers, the Aptera is not a small car. Its overall height (), width () and front wheel tracking distance () is higher and wider than a Toyota Prius
The is a car built by Toyota which has a hybrid drivetrain, combining an internal combustion engine with an electric motor. Initially offered as a four-door sedan, it has been produced only as a five-door liftback since 2003.
In 2007, ...
or a Tesla Model S
The Tesla Model S is a battery-powered liftback car serving as the flagship model of Tesla, Inc. The Model S features a dual-motor, all-wheel drive layout, although earlier versions of the Model S featured a rear-motor and rear-wheel drive ...
. The Aptera's wheelbase () is longer than a Prius's. At long, it is as long as a Prius. However the Aptera has a larger luggage capacity () than a Prius () or a Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3 is a compact executive sedan that is battery powered and produced by Tesla. Limited production of the Model 3 began in mid-2017, with the first production vehicle rolling off the assembly line on July 7, 2017. The offici ...
().
Configurations
Multiple solar panel, motor and battery configurations are planned, with ranges from 250 to 1,000 miles, at estimated prices ranging from $25,900 to over $47,000.
The 3-motor all-wheel-drive versions are specified to accelerate 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.[
On September 18, 2020, two ]front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive (FWD) is a form of engine and transmission layout used in motor vehicles, where the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel drive vehicles feature a transverse engine, rather than the conventional longitu ...
(FWD) limited editions were announced:
* The Paradigm Edition: "The Most Efficient Vehicle on the Road" with a 400-mile range, 100kW drive system, and all solar panels (220 vehicles – first production run, total price: $29,900)
* The Paradigm +: "The Most Efficient Long Range Vehicle on the Road" with a full 1,000-mile range, 100kW drive system, and all solar panels (110 vehicles – fourth production run, total price: $44,900)
The two Paradigm FWD drive editions will have a 0 to 60 mph time of 5.5 seconds.[
]
Options
Options under consideration:
* "SafetyPilot" — adds SAE Level 2 autonomy capability, including facial tracking, lane keeping, adaptive cruise control, and emergency braking,
* Enhanced audio — provides three more channels of audio including an added lightweight transmission-line subwoofer,
* Off-road kit — increases ground clearance and provides tougher wheel covers,
* Camping kit — provides an integrated tent and rear awning,
* Pet kit — adds a pet divider, a way to secure a pet, a rear ladder and other accessories for an animal.
Projected availability
As of October 2019, the first prototypes of the revised Aptera EV were planned for the first quarter of 2020.
In February 2020, Co-CEO Anthony stated that if the required $2.5 million funding was in place, production could begin in 9 months. Later that month the company announced it had raised enough funding to see the solar EV into production. The plan was to build and test development vehicles through the 3rd quarter of 2020, then move from development into production by the end of 2020.
In September 2020, Aptera published on their WeFunder investment page an investor presentation showing planned first customer availability in Q2 of 2021.
The company revealed their first prototype of the solar-powered vehicle and started accepting "pre-orders" on December 4, 2020. The same day Anthony wrote, "Delivery for early orders is end of 2021". On January 11, 2021, he added, "If we can raise funds effectively and COVID doesn't continue to be a significant impediment we should be able to deliver 4 to 6 thousand units in 2022." However, COVID did cause delays getting parts for the prototypes and getting the prototypes built.
In a December 2021 video update, the company revealed they had started construction in their newly acquired 80,000 square foot factory space and were "confident we will be able to begin supplying vehicles in the later part of 2022."
A month later in January 2022 the ''San Diego Business Journal
The ''San Diego Business Journal'' is a weekly newspaper in San Diego, California covering local business news. Each week, the San Diego Business Journal examines the economic news, demographics and lifestyle profiles of San Diego, and the many ...
'' quoted Anthony as saying, "The company is wrapping up testing its Beta model and has been working on its Gamma design for the last six months. Once testing on the Gamma is done, Aptera will build its preproduction Delta model that will have most of the car’s components, like a complete interior, airbags and air conditioning."
A webinar was hosted by Aptera Motors on June 14th, 2022 in which they outlined the company's progress. At this webinar the team announced the completion of its Gamma prototype design and was aiming to complete its build of the first Gamma prototype in about 4 to 6 weeks. After that, the Delta pre-production prototype design "will take several more months" to complete. First customer delivery was still aiming for "the end of the year". They also said they plan to produce 1,000 vehicles in the first few months of production. Those first 1,000 vehicles will all be that 400-mile range version. First deliveries will be made to customers most local to their headquarters in San Diego, California.
Later in a video published on August 11, 2022 by the Fully Charged Show, Anthony stated, "We are looking to produce our first production-intent vehicle by the end of the year and then scale production in 2023." Anthony also stated that pre-orders had grown to 27,000.
A more recent Aptera Motors press release dated November 3rd, 2022 stated in part, "With over 37,000 reservations, Aptera aims to begin deliveries in 2023 and ramp up to a full-scale production rate of 40 vehicles per day".
See also
*Aptera 2 Series
The Aptera 2 Series (formerly the Aptera Typ-1) was a high-efficiency three-wheeled passenger car designed by Aptera Motors that failed to reach production.
The first model of the 2 Series slated for production was the Aptera 2e (formerly Typ-1e ...
*Arcimoto
Arcimoto is an electric vehicle company headquartered in Eugene, Oregon that manufactures and sells the Fun Utility Vehicle, or FUV, a tandem two-seat, three-wheeled electric vehicle. They also sell van-variations on the design "Rapid Respond ...
*Commuter Cars Tango
The Commuter Cars ''Tango'' is a prototype ultra-narrow electric sports car designed and built by Commuter Cars, an electric car company based out of Spokane, Washington.
History
Commuter Cars was founded in Spokane, Washington, by Rick Woodb ...
* Lightyear 0 solar powered car
*Microlino
The Microlino is a proposed all-electric lightweight four-wheeled quadracycle marketed by Micro Mobility Systems, designed for urban mobility. Noted for its front-opening door recalling the bubble cars from the late 1950s, the Microlino has t ...
*Nobe GT100
The Nobe GT100 (pronounced ''no bay'') is a zero emissions concept vehicle with two forward wheels and a single trailing wheel, each electrically powered. Originally designed as an enclosed two-door coupe, and subsequently rendered also as a two ...
References
{{Reflist
Electric concept cars
Proposed vehicles
Solar-powered vehicles
Electric three-wheel vehicles
All-wheel-drive vehicles
Electric motorcycles
Cars introduced in 2019