Aptera (solar electric vehicle)

Last updated

Aptera Solar EV
Aptera Side View with Open Door.jpg
First prototype of the Aptera solar powered EV
Overview
Manufacturer Aptera Motors
Production2025 (planned)
Assembly Carlsbad, California
Designer Jason Hill
Body and chassis
Class
Body style 3 door hatchback coupé
Layout 2 or 3 wheel hub motors
Powertrain
Electric motor 2 or 3 × 42 kW from Elaphe Ltd.
Battery 25, 42, 60 or 100 kW·h lithium-ion
Range250, 400, 600 or 1,000 miles (1,600 km)  EPA
Plug-in charging
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,743 mm (108 in)
Length4,496 mm (177 in)
Width2,225 mm (87.6 in)
Height1,422 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 [lower-alpha 2] 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, wheel hub motors, and built-in solar cells to significantly extend its range. [1] [2]

Contents

History

The Aptera vehicle's development was planned to progress through a series of prototypes: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, leading to the Delta phase vehicle. Three Alpha prototypes were built to validate the basic vehicle design and provide rough functionality. The Beta prototype incorporated functional improvements learned from the Alpha prototypes. The Gamma prototype was intended to iron out production details, and then the Delta to be the production-intent vehicle. [3] In June 2022, Aptera announced a detailed plan to scale in-wheel motor production in Slovenia by Elaphe. Up to 100,000 units are to be produced annually in a 160,000 square foot R&D and production centre. [4]

Aptera named Maxeon Solar Technologies as the solar cell provider for the vehicle in October 2022. [5] The Gamma Aptera prototype was unveiled in December, with a touch screen center console and improved head and legroom. [6] In January 2023, Aptera announced that it needed $50 million to start assembly. Shortly thereafter, it received a $21 million grant from the California Energy Commission (CEC). [7] Since then, the Accelerator program has raised the other 29 million dollars needed to begin production. [8]

In March 2023, Aptera announced its use of Comma.ai's Openpilot driver assistance system. [9] 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. [10] The Aptera sEV has over 40,000 reservations as of 2023. [11]

Design

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 40–60 kW. [12]

Notes

  1. ↑ Compatible with the Tesla Supercharger network.
  2. ↑ The car is homonymous with its manufacturer, Aptera Motors.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electric vehicle</span> Vehicle propelled by one or more electric motors

An electric vehicle (EV) is a vehicle that uses one or more electric motors for propulsion. The vehicle can be powered by a collector system, with electricity from extravehicular sources, or can be powered autonomously by a battery or by converting fuel to electricity using a generator or fuel cells. EVs include road and rail vehicles, electric boats and underwater vessels, electric aircraft and electric spacecraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Three-wheeler</span> Vehicle with three wheels

A three-wheeler is a vehicle with three wheels. Some are motorized tricycles, which may be legally classed as motorcycles, while others are tricycles without a motor, some of which are human-powered vehicles and animal-powered vehicles.

Aptera Motors Corp. is an American crowd funded, pre-production startup company based in Carlsbad, California. It was originally founded in 2005 before liquidating in 2011. The company was relaunched by the original founders in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar car</span> Type of vehicle powered by solar energy

A solar car is a solar vehicle for use on public roads or race tracks. Solar vehicles are electric vehicles that use self-contained solar cells to provide full or partial power to the vehicle via sunlight. Solar vehicles typically contain a rechargeable battery to help regulate and store the energy from the solar cells and from regenerative braking. Some solar cars can be plugged into external power sources to supplement the power of sunlight used to charge their battery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Riversimple</span>

Riversimple is a United Kingdom-based car manufacturer of hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). It is based in Llandrindod Wells, a town in Wales, where there is a research & development centre and the company's offices. Riversimple was founded by former motorsport engineer and racing driver Hugo Spowers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wheel hub motor</span> Electric motor in the middle of a wheel

A wheel hub motor, hub motor, or in-wheel motor is a motor that is incorporated into the hub of the wheel. Wheel-hub motors are commonly found on electric bicycles. Electric hub motors were well-received in early electric cars, but have not been commercially successful in modern production cars because they negatively affect vehicle handling due to higher dynamic wheel load and their placement makes them prone to damage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kiira Motors Corporation</span> Ugandan state-owned automotive company

Kiira Motors Corporation or KMC is a State Enterprise in Uganda established to champion the Development of the Domestic Automotive Value Chain for job and wealth creation and commercialize the Kiira Electric Vehicle Project. The Equity Partners are the Government of the Republic of Uganda represented by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Office of the President holding 96% of the initial stock and Makerere University holding 4%.

Pakistan has a significant market for hybrid vehicles such as Honda's Vezel, Toyota's Prius, and Aqua. The Automotive Development Policy (2016–2021) and the launch of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) encourage foreign investments for new automobile brands to enter the Pakistani market, while the leading manufacturers in the automobile industry in Pakistan are interested in introducing electric vehicle (EV) models with a wide range of prices for consumers of diverse income groups. Several members of the international automobile industry including South Korea, China, and Japan also believe that Pakistan has a high potential market for EV technology, leading them to collaborate with local businesses to bring EVs to Pakistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rivian R1T</span> Battery electric mid-size pickup truck

The Rivian R1T is a battery electric mid-size light duty luxury pickup truck produced by the American company Rivian. The first production R1T was manufactured in Illinois on September 28th 2021, and was delivered to a customer. The official EPA range for the Rivian R1T ranges from 289–352 mi (465–566 km), depending on drivetrain, battery pack capacity and wheel size.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tesla Cybertruck</span> Electric pickup truck

The Tesla Cybertruck is a battery electric medium duty full-size pickup truck built by Tesla, Inc. since 2023. Introduced as a concept vehicle in November 2019, it has a body design reminiscent of low-polygon modelling, consisting of flat stainless steel sheet panels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rivian R1S</span> Battery electric full-size SUV

The Rivian R1S is an all-electric full-size off-road SUV manufactured by Rivian. Customer deliveries started in 2022. The car took nearly 10 years to develop. Depending on the configuration, it has either two or four electric motors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Mustang Mach-E</span> Battery electric compact crossover SUV

The Ford Mustang Mach-E is a battery electric compact crossover SUV produced by Ford. Introduced on November 17, 2019, it went on sale in December 2020 as a 2021 model. The Mach-E is part of the Mustang series, with its name inspired by the Mach 1 variant of the first-generation Mustang. The car won the 2021 North American SUV of the Year Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lordstown Endurance</span> Motor vehicle

The Lordstown Endurance is a full-size battery electric pickup truck with wheel hub motors manufactured by Lordstown Motors in collaboration with Foxconn at its Ohio factory. The Endurance entered limited production in September 2022 with plans to manufacture no more than 500 vehicles through June of 2023. It is the company's first production automobile.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sandy Munro</span> Automotive engineer

Sandy Munro is an automotive engineer who specializes in machine tools and manufacturing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hyundai Electric Global Modular Platform</span> Motor vehicle platform

Hyundai E-GMP is a dedicated battery electric vehicle platform for Hyundai Motor Group automobiles. It is the first electric-only dedicated platform by Hyundai. It has been used for Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis automobiles starting in 2021. It follows Hyundai's earlier Power Electric System, which describes the drivetrain of an electric vehicle, including the traction motor, storage battery, and power electronics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alpha Motor Corporation</span> American electric vehicle company

Alpha Motor Corporation is an American electric vehicle company headquartered in Irvine, California. Established in 2020 by American entrepreneur and automotive executive Edward Lee, specializes in the production of innovative electric vehicles, recognized for their design, sustainability, and advanced technology. In 2023, Alpha received the Certificate of Congressional Recognition from the United States House of Representatives for its technology and dedication to sustainable transportation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX</span> 2022 battery electric vehicle concept

The Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX is a battery electric concept car by German carmaker Mercedes-Benz. Unveiled at the 2022 edition of the Consumer Electronics Show, it is a proof of concept, with Mercedes-Benz's primary goal being a target of below 10 kWh per 100 km in real-life conditions. The EQXX's exterior features various stylistic cues that help maximise its aerodynamic efficiency, and numerous eco-friendly materials that adorn the interior. The car's name refers to Mercedes' vision for the future of automobile manufacturing, with Mercedes chairman Ola Källenius stating that the EQXX is "how we imagine the future of electric cars", and that the car "underlines where our entire company is headed".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Squad Solar</span> Solar electric motor vehicle

The Squad Solar is a neighborhood electric vehicle that has a solar panel on top to make it a solar car. The vehicle can also be plugged into a regular outlet to be powered by the grid. The vehicle is manufactured by Squad Mobility BV based in the Netherlands which was founded by Robert Hoevers and Chris Klok that previously worked at Lightyear. It is set to start production for the EU market in 2024, and sales in the US starting in 2025.

References

  1. 1 2 Voelcker, John (August 28, 2019). "Exclusive: 3-Wheeled Aptera Reboots as World's Most Efficient Electric Car". IEEE Spectrum. IEEE. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  2. ↑ "FAQs Archive". Aptera. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  3. ↑ Sensiba, Jennifer (November 2, 2021). "Aptera Ends Alpha Production, Beta Production Under Way". CleanTechnica. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  4. ↑ Randall, Chris (June 23, 2022). "Aptera orders in-wheel motors from Elaphe". Electrive. Berlin: Rabbit Publishing GmbH. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  5. ↑ Dool, Scooter (October 4, 2022). "Aptera names solar cell supplier as it begins panel production for solar EVs that 'never need to charge'". Electrek. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  6. ↑ Dnistran, Iulian (December 13, 2023). "Aptera Gamma Shows Its Center Touchscreen In Latest Development Video". Inside EVs. Miami: Motorsport Network. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  7. ↑ Dnistran, Iulian (March 16, 2023). "Aptera Extends Its Accelerator Program, Needs More Money To Start Production". Inside EVs. Miami: Motorsport Network. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Aptera Leaderboard". Aptera Leaderboard. Aptera. October 3, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  9. ↑ Dnistran, Iulian (March 29, 2023). "Aptera Solar EV Will Work With Openpilot, An Open-Source Driver Assistance System". Inside EVs. Miami: Motorsport Network. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  10. ↑ Nehls (September 25, 2023). "Aptera reveals first composite production parts for BinC vehicle". Composites World. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  11. ↑ Krivevski, Blagojce (January 21, 2023). "Aptera Unveils Production-Intent Launch Edition". ElectricCarsReport.com. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Charging – Aptera enthusiast blog" . Retrieved February 22, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.