Frequently Asked Questions
Find out how to reserve Aptera and what makes our company and technology so different.
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Aptera was one of the first having demonstrated an integrated solar roof on our vehicles in 2007. At the time it was a small area and only provided enough energy for the ventilation system while parked. But now with greater design freedom and advances in solar cell efficiencies we can produce dramatically more power.
Back in 2007 the top cell efficiency was 13% tops, now it’s 24% and getting better and cheaper every year. And the quality, cost, and flexibility of today’s solar cells have improved markedly since 2007. All that means we can now build a system that can meet the daily driving needs of most Americans.
The average American drives 29 miles per day. Even though the longest range Aptera can drive for about 1,000 miles between charge, the reality is that most of our driving is 30 miles or less. For Aptera, 30 miles consumes about 3 kWh of electricity. Now, let’s say your commute is 15 miles each way, let’s assume it’s dark when you’re driving to and from work. While parked at the office on a sunny day, your Aptera could put back in about 4.4 kWh which is far more than what you’ll use that day. You’ll arrive home with more charge than when you left with. That’s how it works, it’s as simple as that.
They’d need a LOT more solar cells (like a 20’ billboard size) to do the job. But, because Aptera is so efficient we don’t need so many cells. It’s a great example of the engineering karma of an efficiency focused design. We use a lot less power to drive, so it takes a lot less power to charge, so much so that an efficient solar panel covering just the top of our vehicle can provide for the driving needs of most Americans.
The world’s most technologically advanced solar vehicle made possible through breakthroughs in battery efficiency, aerodynamics, material science and manufacturing. Aptera is the first in a line of unique and breakthrough solar vehicles being produced by Aptera Motors that are powered by the sun and won’t need charging for most daily use. We’re an efficiency-obsessed brand offering an array of safe, comfortable, and fun to drive vehicles.
Our goal is to sell Aptera worldwide everywhere possible. Our first three-wheel vehicle may not meet every global market’s requirement, but we have an EU homologation and certification expert working with us and we may investigate minor model changes to meet earliest production deliveries. Please follow our social media handles @aptera_motors for updates.
We will not know Aptera's actual rating until we pass a production vehicle through the full safety test. But we are designing to exceed all passenger car standards and the previous version had the highest roof crush strength of all passenger cars on the road, and it performed exceedingly well in actual side and frontal crash tests. Aptera features a Formula One-inspired safety cell with advanced composites and metal structures for impact strength. Similar to aerospace and racing, these energy-absorbing methods are a core part of our safety strategy and have proven effective time and time again in high speed impacts.
We apologize that you are having challenges. In the near future, Aptera Motors is moving to a new account system that will make it easier for customers to view and make changes to orders and obtain helpful information about their vehicles and milestones in the production process. Until then, we'd be more than happy to provide confirmation of your order details and verify your Aptera reservation by email: info@aptera.us.
Aptera has the longest range of any electric vehicle ever created – breaking the 1,000 mile per charge barrier. Integrated solar can be configured to provide up to 45 miles of range per day with over three square meters and 180 efficient solar cells designed into the body structure. This makes the Aptera the first vehicle capable of meeting most daily driving needs with solar power alone.We have solved key manufacturing challenges allowing for rapid, high-volume and cost-efficient vehicle production - Aptera has just four main pieces.
If Aptera produces one million vehicles, we’ll reduce our C02 footprint by seven million tons per year. Each Aptera owner can reduce their carbon footprint by over 14,000 pounds of CO2 per year, what 884 twenty five year old pine trees can absorb in a year. If one out of every 20 vehicles on the road were replaced with an Aptera, Americans would save 18 million gallons of gasoline every day or six BILLION gallons per year (assuming 20 mpg vehicle and $3 per gallon gas).
Working with partners such as Munro & Associates, our first initiatives include the layout of the assembly line and overall manufacturing process, including productionization of metal parts, interior systems, and HVAC. Their expertise will be critical to help Aptera scale and reach its goal of vehicle delivery in 2021.
The average American drives 29 miles per day. Even though the longest range Aptera can drive for about 1,000 miles between charge, the reality is that most of our driving is 30 miles or less. For Aptera, 30 miles consumes about 3 kWh of electricity. Now, let’s say your commute is 15 miles each way, let’s assume it’s dark when you’re driving to and from work. While parked at the office on a sunny day, your Aptera could put back in about 4.4 kWh which is far more than what you’ll use that day. You’ll arrive home with more charge than when you left with. That’s how it works, it’s as simple as that.
They’d need a LOT more solar cells (like a 20’ billboard size) to do the job. But, because Aptera is so efficient we don’t need so many cells. It’s a great example of the engineering karma of an efficiency focused design. We use a lot less power to drive, so it takes a lot less power to charge, so much so that an efficient solar panel covering just the top of our vehicle can provide for the driving needs of most Americans.
With all-wheel-drive and vectorized torque control, Aptera handles beautifully in the snow and ice. We are designing specifically for a lot of the cold countries that love electric vehicles. The Aptera will have a full climate control system capable down to -20 and up to 125 degrees Fahrenheit. With our sandwich core composites body offering great insulation and a nice heater, it’s very comfortable to drive in the winter.
Aptera will offer regenerative braking, which uses an electric vehicle’s motor as a generator to convert much of the kinetic energy lost when decelerating back into stored energy in the vehicle’s battery. Then, the next time the car accelerates, it uses much of the energy previously stored instead of tapping in further to its own energy reserves. Aptera will offer adjustable levels in 3 or 4 settings, from off to very heavy regen braking.
Most vehicles today waste more than 65% of their energy at highway speeds due to aerodynamic drag. Aptera’s unique body shape allows it to slip through the air using far less energy than any other vehicle on the road. We can burn 30% of the energy the average EV does to go the same distance. Aptera puts over 90% of its battery pack’s energy into propelling itself with regenerative braking to add range.
Aptera uses additive manufacturing processes to rapidly scale production and allow for design variants to be added frequently (printed parts can be produced in just a few days versus the long turn times it takes with traditional methods). One composite part can take the place of tens of steel parts needed to do the same job, and is many times stronger.