Aptera Solar EV | |
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![]() First prototype of the Aptera solar powered EV | |
Overview | |
Manufacturer | Aptera Motors |
Production | 2026 (planned) |
Assembly | Carlsbad, California |
Designer | Jason Hill |
Body and chassis | |
Class | |
Body style | 3 door hatchback coupé |
Layout | front-wheel drive |
Powertrain | |
Electric motor | Vitesco Technologies EMR3 axle drive |
Battery | 25, 42, 60 or 100 kW·h lithium-ion |
Range | 250, 400, 600 or 1,000 miles (1,600 km) EPA |
Plug-in charging |
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Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 2,743 mm (108 in) |
Length | 4,496 mm (177 in) |
Width | 2,225 mm (87.6 in) |
Height | 1,422 mm (56 in) |
Curb weight | 816 kg (1,800 lb) for standard 60 kW·h version |
Chronology | |
Predecessor | Aptera 2 Series (never produced) |
The Aptera is a two-seat, three-wheeled solar electric vehicle under development by the crowd-funded American car manufacturer Aptera Motors. The stated design goal of the car is to be the most energy efficient mass-produced vehicle ever. The design has an aerodynamic shape and uses lightweight carbon fiber and fiberglass composite materials, and built-in solar cells to extend its range by up to 40 miles a day. [1] [2] While several prototypes featured in-wheel motors, the production model is designed with a standard three-wheeler front-wheel drive axle. [3]
The company planned delivering production units of the Aptera vehicle in 2021. [4] Four stages of prototypes were planned, with the third stage of prototypes nearing the final production design, and the fourth representing a prototype that's identical to production vehicles. [5]
Aptera announced in June 2022 a detailed plan to scale in-wheel motor production in Slovenia by Elaphe. [6] Due to issues with getting the Aptera in-wheel motor design to production it was replaced in 2024 with a standard front-wheel drive axle design for the production model. [3]
Aptera announced in November 2022 a design change to bodies made of molded carbon fiber. In January 2023 the company announced a fund drive to raise $50 million [7] for the "initial phases of production". The following month the company said it requires additional funds to produce and deliver vehicles to customers. [8]
Another prototype of the Aptera vehicle was shown at the January 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2025). Company representatives said initial customer deliveries are anticipated by the end of 2025. [9] The prototype shown at CES 2025 was "nearly" ready for production. [10] The carbon-fiber and fiberglass panels of the vehicle were made with production tooling, however the diecast metal suspension arms and the injection-molded interior components were not. [11] As of late April 2025, initial sales are planned for 2026 and full-scale production is planned for 2028. [12]
The Aptera's body shape is similar to earlier design exercises in efficiency, including the "Fusion" human-powered vehicle produced by the Pegasus Research Company in 1984, [13] and the MIT Aztec Solar Car, which won multiple efficiency awards while racing in the American Tour de Sol in 1993. [14] The Aptera has a claimed coefficient of drag that is very low, at 0.13 as of January 2023. [15] The car was tested at an Italian wind tunnel, the results of which were described by co-CEO Chris Anthony as "pretty pictures". [16]
Aptera named Maxeon Solar Technologies as the solar cell provider for the vehicle in October 2022. [17] In March 2023, Aptera announced its use of Comma.ai's Openpilot driver assistance system. [18] 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. [19]
The 60 kWh battery version is expected to weigh about 1,800 pounds (820 kg), much lighter than most electric vehicles. [1] It has a NACS connector, and is able to charge at a rate of between 40 and 60 kW. [20]