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The Aptera is a three-wheeled, two-passenger solar electric vehicle, the third revision of the previous Aptera 2 Series vehicle by startup Aptera Motors. It is a highly efficient battery electric vehicle (BEV) with built-in solar panels on the roof and dashboard, and optionally on the hood and hatch, featuring two or three wheel hub motors and an estimated range of up to 1,000 miles (1,600 km) with its biggest battery pack.[1]

Aptera solar EV
First prototype of the Aptera solar powered EV
Overview
Manufacturer	Aptera Motors
Production	2023 (to commence)
Assembly	United States: San Diego, California
Designer	Jason Hill
Body and chassis
Class	Three-wheeler motorcycle sports car
Body style	3 door hatchback Coupé
Layout	2 or 3 wheel hub motors
Powertrain
Electric motor	2 or 3 x 50 kW from Elaphe Ltd.
Battery	23, 41, 60 or 100 kW·h lithium-ion
Range	250, 400, 600 or 1,000 miles (1,600 km) EPA
Plug-in charging	standard AC L1, L2, DC CCS and possibly Tesla Supercharger
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,743 mm (108 in)
Length	4,496 mm (177 in)
Width	2,235 mm (88 in)
Height	1,448 mm (57 in)
Curb weight	800 kg (1,800 pounds) for standard 60kW-hr version
Chronology
Predecessor	Aptera 2 Series (never produced)

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 was optimized via simulations to 0.13, significantly lower than any other production motorcycle or car.[2] The 60 kWh battery version weighs only 1,800 pounds (820 kg).[1]

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.[1]

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,[3] and the MIT Aztec Solar Car, which won multiple efficiency awards while racing in the American Tour de Sol in 1993.[4]

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.[5]

Solar Charging

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.[6] 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.[6] 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 that 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.[7]

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[8] said that the vehicle will also accept high speed charges from CCS DC chargers.[9]

On December 4, 2020, Aptera Motors revealed the Aptera solar-powered prototype including a photo showing what appears to be a Tesla Supercharger shaped connector being plugged into the Aptera's charging port.[10][11] Speculation then started concerning whether or not the Aptera will use Tesla's Charging Network. When contacted by CleanTechnica, the news site, Aptera said "which [fast-charging] plug the vehicle will have is still an open question."[5] 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.[12]

Motors

Customers can reserve an Aptera with either two or three wheel hub motors for front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Each motor is capable of 50 kW (67 horsepower). The in-wheel electric motor provider has been selected to be Elaphe Ltd.[13]

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 (SMC). This was revealed in a press release in November, 2022.[14]

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 the 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 (57 inches (1,448 mm)), width (88 inches (2,235 mm)) and front wheel tracking distance (77 inches (1,956 mm)) is higher and wider than a Toyota Prius or a Tesla Model S. The Aptera's wheelbase (108 inches (2,743 mm)) is longer than a Prius's. At 177 inches (4,496 mm) long, it is as long as a Prius. However the Aptera has a larger luggage capacity (25 cubic foot (708 L)) than a Prius (21.6 cubic foot (612 L)) or a Tesla Model 3 (15 cubic foot (425 L)).[15][16][17]

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.[18]

The 3-motor all-wheel-drive versions are specified to accelerate 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.[18]

On September 18, 2020, two front-wheel drive (FWD) limited editions were announced:[19]

• 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.[19]

Options

Options under consideration:[20]

• "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.[21]

In February 2020, Co-CEO Anthony stated that if the required $2.5 million funding was in place, production could begin in 9 months.[22] 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.[23]

In September 2020, Aptera published on their WeFunder investment page an investor presentation showing planned first customer availability in Q2 of 2021.[24]

The company revealed their first prototype of the solar-powered vehicle and started accepting "pre-orders" on December 4, 2020.[25] The same day Anthony wrote, "Delivery for early orders is end of 2021".[26] 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."[27] However, COVID did cause delays getting parts for the prototypes and getting the prototypes built.[28]

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."[29]

A month later in January 2022 the San Diego Business Journal 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."[30]

A webinar was hosted by Aptera Motors on June 14th, 2022 in which they outlined the company's progress.[31] 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,[32] 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".[33]

See also

• Aptera 2 Series
• Arcimoto
• Commuter Cars Tango
• Lightyear 0 solar powered car
• Microlino
• Nobe GT100

References

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