Last year, US-based EV startup Aptera caused waves when it unveiled its prototype for a lightweight, super-efficient electric vehicle (“EV”) with a range of up to 1,000 miles. After folding back a bit, Aptera relaunched in 2020, revealing plans for a three-wheeled electric vehicle it claimed would never need charging, thanks to a solar array. Two months later, the San Diego, California, firm has raised $4 million in funding and received more than 7,000 reservations.
Aptera was one of the first startups in the EV space back in 2006 when Tesla was still working on the iconic Tesla Roadster. However, after running out of funding and failing to secure enough working capital, the firm refunded customer deposits and was liquidated in 2011. However, co-founders Chris Anthony, Steve Fambro and Michael Johnson remained in the electrification sector, creating a company that sells electric forklift batteries. They made a big splash late last year with an efficient, lightweight vehicle with three different battery pack options: 250 miles, 400 miles and 600 miles.
Being extremely light and aerodynamic, the Aptera has a drag coefficient of only 0.13, allowing it to achieve 1,000 miles of range. The smallest battery pack, which costs around $25,000, can last 250 miles. For $29,000, you can order a battery pack with a range of 400 miles while $44,900 gets you the largest 1,000-mile battery. On top of the different battery options, drivers can also choose a 150 kW four-wheel-drive system or a 100kw front-wheel-drive powertrain.
Aptera claims its new EV can go without charging for most drivers. To achieve this feat, the EV startup embedded numerous solar cells across the three-wheeled EV’s body. Based on the weather as well as the configuration, Aptera says this solar array can add anywhere from 16 to 40 miles of range per day. Thanks to the EV’s high efficiency, even as little as 16 miles a day can make a big difference. If your daily mileage falls within an acceptable range, you could hypothetically charge your vehicle all day while it parks in the sun without ever having to plug in.
The first financing round after Aptera relaunched has netted $4 million and just over 7,000 preorders, with each preorder requiring a $100 deposit. Although $4 million isn’t enough to bring Aptera’s ambitious EV to production, it is a start. With this funding, Aptera will continue developing its EV at a new 60,500-square-foot installation in Sorrento Valley, California.
Eco-friendly travel and clean energy in general is seeing a lot of interest and innovation. An example is the way Clean Power Capital Corp. (CSE: MOVE) (FWB: 2K6A) (OTC: MOTNF) is currently intent on identifying investment opportunities within the clean energy segment, and that explains its bankrolling of a push to establish hydrogen fuel cell stations around the United States.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Clean Power Capital Corp. (CSE: MOVE) (FWB: 2K6A) (OTC: MOTNF) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/MOTNF
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