The Aptera[b] 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 significantly extend its range.[1][2] While several prototypes featured in-wheel motors, the production model is designed with a standard three-wheeler front-wheel drive axle.[3]
| Aptera Solar EV | |
|---|---|
 First prototype of the Aptera solar powered EV | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Aptera Motors |
| Production | 2025 (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 | |
| 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) |
History
editThe 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.[4] 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.[5] Due to production issues the in-wheel motor design was replaced with a standard front-wheel drive axle design for the production model.[3]
Aptera named Maxeon Solar Technologies as the solar cell provider for the vehicle in October 2022.[6] The Gamma Aptera prototype was unveiled in December, with a touch screen center console and improved head and legroom.[7] 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).[8] Since then, the Accelerator program has raised the other 29 million dollars needed to begin production.[9]
In March 2023, Aptera announced its use of Comma.ai's Openpilot driver assistance system.[10] 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.[11] The Aptera sEV has over 40,000 reservations as of 2023.[12]
Design
editThe 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.[13]
Aerodynamics
editThe Aptera has a claimed coefficient of drag that is very low, at 0.13 as of January 2023.[14] The car was tested at an Italian wind tunnel, the results of which were described by co-CEO Chris Anthony as "pretty pictures".[15]
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,[16] and the MIT Aztec Solar Car, which won multiple efficiency awards while racing in the American Tour de Sol in 1993.[17]
Notes
edit- ^ Compatible with the Tesla Supercharger network.
- ^ The car is homonymous with its manufacturer, Aptera Motors.
References
edit- ^ a b Voelcker, John (August 28, 2019). "Exclusive: 3-Wheeled Aptera Reboots as World's Most Efficient Electric Car". IEEE Spectrum. IEEE. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
- ^ "FAQs Archive". Aptera. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
- ^ a b Steve Fambro, "Aptera Update — July 2024", YouTube
- ^ Sensiba, Jennifer (November 2, 2021). "Aptera Ends Alpha Production, Beta Production Under Way". CleanTechnica. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
- ^ Randall, Chris (June 23, 2022). "Aptera orders in-wheel motors from Elaphe". Electrive. Berlin: Rabbit Publishing GmbH. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Dnistran, Iulian (December 13, 2023). "Aptera Gamma Shows Its Center Touchscreen In Latest Development Video". Inside EVs. Miami: Motorsport Network. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Aptera Leaderboard". Aptera Leaderboard. Aptera. October 3, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Nehls (September 25, 2023). "Aptera reveals first composite production parts for BinC vehicle". Composites World. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
- ^ Krivevski, Blagojce (January 21, 2023). "Aptera Unveils Production-Intent Launch Edition". ElectricCarsReport.com. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
- ^ "Charging – Aptera enthusiast blog". Retrieved February 22, 2024.
- ^ https://aptera.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Aptera-Vehicle-Specs.pdf
- ^ https://www.wsj.com/business/entrepreneurship/the-shortcut-that-allows-risky-startups-to-raise-billions-from-rookie-investors-70509a25
- ^ Dempsey, Wayne (February 13, 2021). "HPV Racing History – Pegasus Fusion and Aptera". Recumbents.com. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
- ^ Dempsey, Wayne (February 13, 2021). "MIT Aztec Solar Car". Dempsey Motorsports. Retrieved February 13, 2021.