Aptera 3

The Aptera EV is a solar electric vehicle, the third major revision of the consumer vehicle by the startup Aptera Motors. It will be a two-seat, three-wheeled passenger, high-efficiency battery electric vehicle (BEV). It will feature two or three wheel hub motors and an estimated range of up to 1600 km (1000 miles) with its largest battery pack.[1]

Aptera EV
The Aptera solar powered EV
Overview
ManufacturerAptera Motors
ProductionQ2 2021 (to commence)
AssemblyUnited States: San Diego, California
DesignerJason Hill
Body and chassis
Class
Body style3 door hatchback Coupé
Layout2 or 3 wheel hub motors
Powertrain
Electric motor2 or 3 x 50 kW from Elaphe Ltd.
Battery25, 40, 60 or 100 kW·h lithium-ion
Range250, 400, 600 or 1,000 miles (1,600 km) EPA
Plug-in charging
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,743 mm (108 in)
Length4,369 mm (172 in)
Width2,235 mm (88 in)
Height1,448 mm (57 in)
Curb weight800 kg (1,800 pounds) for standard 60kW-hr version
Chronology
PredecessorAptera 2 Series (never produced)

Efficiency

Its unique aerodynamic design and lightweight resin composite construction has been calculated to allow it to achieve that range by requiring less than 100 Wh of energy per mile, making it about 2.5 times as energy efficient as a Tesla Model 3.[1]

Aptera's unique active cooling system aids in minimizing the vehicle's drag and in reducing its weight. Traditional radiators with fans add drag and weight to most vehicles. Aptera's designers found another way to radiate the vehicle's heat away, 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.[2]

Solar Charging
Solar panels on the hood, roof, dashboard and hatch of the Aptera EV

Embedded solar cells will contribute up to an additional 41 miles per day from sunlight alone under ideal conditions.[3] Since most users travel less than 30 miles per day, this feature will allow many users to seldom, if ever, need to plug it in to charge the batteries. Thus the Aptera is being promoted as the world's first "Never Charge" EV.[3] The company's web site features a calculator to allow individuals to estimate how often they would need to charge an Aptera based on where they live and how much they drive.

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. On January of 2020, Aptera Co-CEO Chris Anthony[4] said that the vehicle will also accept high speed charges from CCS DC chargers.[5]

On December 4th, 2020, Aptera Motors revealed its Aptera prototype including a photo showing what appears to be a Tesla Supercharger shaped connector being plugged into the Aptera's charging port.[6][7] 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".[2]

Motors

Customers can order 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.[8]

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 172 inches (4,369 mm) long, it is about 4 inches shorter than 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)).[9][10]

Configurations

Multiple solar panel, motor and battery configurations are planned, with ranges from 250 to 1000 miles, at prices ranging from $26 thousand to over $49 thousand.[11]

The 3 motor all-wheel drive versions are specified to do 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.[11]

On September 18, 2020, they announced two new front wheel drive (FWD) limited editions:[12]

  • 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 both have a 0 to 60 mph time of 5.5 seconds.[12]

The Aptera "Never Charge" EV profile
Front view with doors open, showing 10" clearance

Options

Several significant options are being offered for this Aptera.[13] These include:

  • "SafetyPilot" - adds 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 assessories for an animal.

Availability

As of October 2019, the first prototypes of the revised Aptera EV were planned for the first quarter of 2020.[14]

In February 2020, the CEO, Chris Anthony, stated that if the required $2.5 million funding was in place, production could begin in 9 months.[15] Later that month the company announced it had raised enough funding to see the Aptera 3 into production by the end of 2020. The plan then became to build and test development vehicles through the 3rd quarter of 2020, then move from development into production by the end of 2020.[16]

In September, 2020 Aptera published on their WeFunder page an investor presentation document showing planned first customer availability in Q2 of 2021.[17]

Aptera Motors revealed their first prototype of the solar powered vehicle and started accepting "pre-orders" on December 4, 2020.[18] On the same day Chris Anthony wrote, "Delivery for early orders is end of 2021".[19] 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."[20]

References
  1. Voelcker, John (2019-08-28). "Exclusive: 3-Wheeled Aptera Reboots as World's Most Efficient Electric Car". IEEE Spectrum. IEEE. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
  2. Sensiba, Jennifer (2020-12-09). "We Learned A LOT About The Aptera Today". eTransport News. Retrieved 2020-12-14.
  3. "Aptera Motors Corp. | Electric Vehicles". Aptera. Aptera Motors Corp. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
  4. "Chris Anthony | Linkedin". Linkedin. December 11, 2020. Retrieved 2020-12-30.
  5. Anthony, Chris (2020-01-02). "Aptera - Ask a Question". Wefunder. Wefunder Inc. Retrieved 2020-02-12.
  6. "IMG_5745.jpg | HOME". Aptera_Motors. Retrieved 2020-12-11.
  7. "Is Aptera Using Tesla's Charging Tech: 1,000-Mile, Supercharge-Capable EV?". InsideEVs. Retrieved 2020-12-11.
  8. Aptera_Motors (2019-10-16). "Our first vendor visit and audit of Elaphe Propulsion Technologies in Slovenia". Facebook. Facebook. Retrieved 2020-02-12.
  9. Anthony, Chris (2020-02-18). "Aptera - Ask a Question". Wefunder. Wefunder Inc. Retrieved 2020-02-20.
  10. "Aptera, it's HUGE! Surfboards, kayaks, or luggage, it carries them all with ease!". shoutout.wix.com. Aptera Motors Corp. Retrieved 2020-12-04.
  11. Hardwick, Sarah (2020-12-04). "Aptera Reveals First Never Charge Solar Vehicle". Aptera_Motors. Retrieved 2020-12-04.
  12. "A new chance to invest and get your pre-order coupon early!". Wefunder. 2020-09-18. Retrieved 2020-11-30.
  13. "Shop". Aptera_Motors. Retrieved 2020-12-11.
  14. Anthony, Chris (2019-10-25). "Aptera - Ask a Question". Wefunder. Wefunder Inc. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
  15. Anthony, Chris (2020-02-13). "Aptera - Ask a Question". Wefunder. Wefunder Inc. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
  16. Anthony, Chris (2020-02-28). "Aptera just closed a $2M private round!". Wefunder. Wefunder Inc. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
  17. "Aptera - Modernizing Vehicle Design & Manufacturing - INVESTOR PRESENTATION" (PDF). Wefunder. Aptera Motors. p. 18. Retrieved 2020-09-20 – via cloudfront.net.
  18. Hardwick, Sarah (2020-12-04). "Aptera Reveals First Never Charge Solar Vehicle". Aptera_Motors. Retrieved 2020-12-06.
  19. Anthony, Chris (2020-12-04). "Aptera - Ask a Question". wefunder.com. Retrieved 2020-12-06.
  20. Anthony, Chris (2021-01-11). "Aptera - Ask a Question". wefunder.com. Retrieved 2021-01-15.
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