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Aptera Motors has reached a major milestone with the first drive of its production-intent solar electric vehicle (sEV). This crucial achievement marks a step forward in validating the production design and components of its revolutionary solar-powered vehicle. This vehicle will undergo rigorous real-world testing to validate critical performance metrics including range, solar charging, and efficiency.
Key Highlights:
- First drive of production-intent solar EV completed successfully.
- Testing involves Aptera’s proprietary battery pack and Vitesco Technologies EMR3 drivetrain.
- Focus on range, solar charging rates, and overall efficiency.
This milestone vehicle includes Aptera’s newly integrated Vitesco Technologies EMR3 drivetrain, an in-board motor solution unveiled earlier this year. The initial test drive also successfully validated Aptera’s proprietary battery pack, confirming its compatibility with the EMR3 powertrain in real-world conditions. This marks the first time that Aptera’s composite body structure, known as its Body in Carbon (BinC), has powered the production drivetrain under in-house developed code with energy supplied from the proprietary battery. This achievement highlights the company’s engineering ingenuity and commitment to sustainability.
“Driving our first production-intent vehicle marks an extraordinary moment in Aptera’s journey,” said Steve Fambro, Aptera’s Co-Founder & Co-CEO. “It demonstrates real progress toward delivering a vehicle that redefines efficiency, sustainability, and energy independence.”
Aptera plans to integrate additional production parts and improve functionality through ongoing testing. This includes evaluating performance in challenging, high-speed environments. Once each component is validated, the company will move towards a fully tested production vehicle ready for delivery to its nearly 50,000 pre-order customers.
Next Steps for Real-World Validation
The next phase will focus on integrating solar technology, the production-intent thermal management system, and exterior surfaces into the vehicle. Once these are installed, Aptera will conduct high-speed track testing to validate general performance metrics such as watt-hours per mile, solar charging rates, and the estimated battery range. These tests are designed to prove Aptera’s promise of a truly energy-independent solar electric vehicle.
The successful drive of Aptera’s first production-intent vehicle highlights both the viability of its unique solar electric design and the imminent arrival of an innovative, sustainable transport solution.
About Aptera Motors
Aptera Motors Corp.® delivers the world’s most technologically advanced solar electric vehicles (sEVs). This is made possible through breakthroughs in solar technology, battery efficiency, aerodynamics, material science, and manufacturing. Aptera’s flagship vehicle, the Launch Edition, offers up to 400 miles per charge with an additional 40 miles a day provided by its integrated solar panels. With just six key body components, Aptera’s streamlined shape allows it to achieve far greater efficiency compared to other electric and hybrid vehicles. For more information, visit aptera.us.
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