Roush Advances Development of Aptera’s Solar Electric Vehicle
- Sarah Hardwick
- Jun 10, 2021
- 2 min read
Roush, recognized global leader in engineering, prototyping, testing and manufacturing, is driving new advances in Aptera Motors’ solar electric vehicle (sEV) as the company nears completion of its Beta development phase. Among the enhancements to the ultra-efficient design include improvements to turning radius, geometry, door seals and latches.
“Aptera is the first vehicle of its kind,” says co-founder Chris Anthony. “Its unique shape and curves make the design process more complex. Roush brings deep knowledge of body, chassis, and powertrain engineering, along with testing and simulation to ensure our results are repeatable. Their support will be extremely valuable to help us scale through to manufacturing and assembly.”
With over 10,000 reservation holders around the world, collaborating with Roush will help Aptera accelerate speed to market and improve customer experience. The company aims to begin delivering vehicles in 2021 and ramp up production in 2022.
Says Jason Furr, Vice President of Business Development at Roush, “Not only is the team at Aptera breaking new ground in the transportation industry, they are working to create a healthier and more sustainable planet. We’re inspired by their mission and pleased to work alongside them as they continue to push forward much needed change and innovation.”
About Aptera
Aptera Motors delivers the world’s most technologically advanced solar electric vehicles (sEVs), made possible by breakthroughs in battery efficiency, aerodynamics, material science, and manufacturing. A lightweight three-wheeler, Aptera is the first in a series of eco-friendly vehicles that will be offered for consumer and commercial use. It has the longest range of any production vehicle with 1,000 miles per charge and the ability to travel up to 46 miles a day on free power from its integrated solar panels. With only four key structural parts, Aptera’s unique body shape allows it to slip through the air using far less energy than other electric and hybrid vehicles on the road today. Learn more and configure your vehicle at www.aptera.us.
About Roush
Roush, a subsidiary of Roush Enterprises, Inc., is a full-service product development supplier headquartered in Livonia, Michigan. Since 1976, the company has grown to more than 4,000 employees in facilities located throughout North America, Europe and Asia. Named a Crain’s Detroit Fast 50 in 2018, Roush is widely recognized for providing engineering, testing, prototyping and manufacturing services to the mobility, aerospace, defense and theme park industries. Other corporate subsidiaries include Roush Performance, developer and manufacturer of performance vehicles and products for the automotive aftermarket; and Roush CleanTech, developer and manufacturer of alternative fuel systems for the fleet vehicle market. Visit www.roush.com.
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Can you upgrade chairs? It looks very cheap material and not comport. More sporty and comfortable chairs need aptera car.
Is there any plans of putting towing capabilities to the Aptera?
Is there any type of cooling and heating system?
I'm interested in converting my eventual Aptera into a one-man shuttle. I can create a lounge space for sleeping in, by removing the passenger seat and putting in a sort of bed. Then there'd be plenty of space for installing refrigeration and electrical appliances for food prep and so forth. A real space shuttle, for traveling the planet's surface. Perhaps an iPad can be mounted overhead, for while I am in that "lounge". What a dream, that I can plan a very long trip and be more concerned with what and how to eat—than how to fuel the car!
Many people curious about Level 2 automatic drive system will be install to Aptera. Is that possible install level 3 automatic drive system when you make mass production model?