Aptera unveils a new solar car that promises to enter production.
The solar energy startup that has resurfaced is trying once again to make its way in the market.
Aptera is looking to seize its second opportunity in the electric vehicle market. The startup, which had previously shut down, has unveiled a new prototype of a solar-powered electric vehicle developed in collaboration with renowned Italian automotive designers Pininfarina. Like its previous attempts, this model is an ultrahigh-performance three-wheeled electric vehicle, incorporating solar panels integrated into its design.
The partnership with Pininfarina has allowed Aptera to access valuable resources, such as the wind tunnel in Turin, Italy, facilitating the optimization of its aerodynamics to achieve one of the lowest drag coefficients among production passenger cars. However, the most significant challenge the company faces is securing enough funding to bring the vehicle into production.
Although Aptera has not disclosed the new drag coefficient, it has indicated that previous versions managed to achieve a 0.13, compared to 0.23 for the Tesla Model 3. The new vehicle features 700W of integrated solar cells, allowing most drivers to use it daily without the need to charge it. These solar panels can provide a range of up to 40 miles of solar energy each day, in addition to allowing trips of up to 400 miles on a single charge.
Aptera's past intentions to pioneer the mass production of solar vehicles faced setbacks when it failed to qualify for the U.S. Department of Energy's loan program. The company ceased operations in 2011 but resurfaced in 2020 after reaching its funding goals through crowdfunding and other strategies. It remains unclear whether current efforts will be sufficient to launch its unique solar-powered three-wheeled vehicle into the market.
Other companies are also exploring solar energy sources. The German startup Sono Motors has shifted its focus from a solar electric car to solar buses. Additionally, Mercedes-Benz's Vision EQXX concept features a solar roof with 117 cells, and Toyota has pledged an optional solar roof for its recent BZ4X electric SUV.
