Aptera’s newly launched solar electric vehicle is sold out and has collected around $100 million in pre-orders. The company says they have accepted orders for 3000 vehicles from owners (US & Internationally). In a press release, Aptera said that they will be ramping production in their new San Diego facility and are targeting deliveries in 2021 and early 2022. Their Youtube launch video has gained more than 500,000 views.
Aptera launched their Advanced Solar Electric Vehicle (sEV) that claims up to a 1,000-mile range. Also, the vehicle would not require charging for most drivers. That’s more than double the range of Tesla’s Model S Long Range Plus vehicle. Tesla in June of 2020 had said that all North American Model S Long Range Plus vehicles will have an official EPA-rated range of 402 miles.
Aptera’s electric vehicle is driven by the power of the sun. The car utilizes solar energy and keeps the batteries topped up. “With Aptera’s Never Charge technology, you are driven by the power of the sun. Our built-in solar array keeps your battery pack topped off and anywhere you want to go, you just go,” says Co-Founder Chris Anthony. Aptera’s new car leverages lightweight structures, low drag aerodynamics, and cooling to achieve this range. The vehicle uses a lightweight composite material that is stronger than steel, supporting a design that allows the car to reduce air drag. The drag coefficient (Cd) claimed by Aptera is 0.13. In comparison, Tesla Model 3 has a drag coefficient of 0.23.
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Solar & Powertrain
The new sEV from Aptera has integrated solar and can be configured to provide up to 45 miles of range per day. This is achieved by over 3 sq meters and 180 efficient solar cells designed into the body structure. Aptera says that its efficient powertrains will propel the vehicle from 0-60 in 3.5 seconds with a top speed of 110 mph. The vehicle will also come with an all-wheel-drive, vectorized torque control for stability control, and handle inclement weather. It says they have solved key challenges allowing for rapid, high-volume, and cost-efficient vehicle production.
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