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Aptera has completed its first round of real-world validation testing for its solar electric vehicle (sEV) at a proving ground in the Mojave Desert. The tests confirmed the vehicle’s exceptional efficiency, a critical step toward production. With impressive results in coastdown, tuft, and highway testing, Aptera is now gearing up to validate its range and solar charging capabilities, bringing it closer to delivering solar mobility to nearly 50,000 pre-order holders.
Key Highlights
- Coastdown Test: The sEV took over three minutes to slow from 60 mph to a stop, even uphill, showing top efficiency.
- Tuft Testing: Real-world airflow matched simulations, refining the vehicle’s design.
- Highway Testing: Energy use aligned with predictions, proving the design’s accuracy.
- Next Steps: More tests will measure range and solar charging.
Testing Proves Efficiency
Aptera, a leader in solar electric vehicles, recently finished its initial real-world validation tests. Conducted in the Mojave Desert, these tests evaluated the sEV’s efficiency under actual conditions. The results highlight why Aptera claims its vehicle is among the most aerodynamically efficient ever built.
Coastdown Test Stands Out
In the coastdown test, which measures how long a vehicle takes to stop after reaching a set speed, Aptera’s sEV excelled. It took over three minutes to decelerate from 60 mph to a stop, even on an uphill slope. This beats most gas and electric vehicles on the road today, showcasing its low energy loss and aerodynamic edge.
Tuft Testing Fine-Tunes Design
Aptera also used tuft testing to check airflow over the vehicle. By placing tufts on key areas like wheel fairings, engineers confirmed that real-world airflow matched their computer models. This match lets them tweak the sEV’s fit and finish for even better efficiency.
Highway Testing Confirms Predictions
An extended highway test saw the sEV driven for hundreds of miles while tracking energy use. The results showed Aptera’s simulation model predicts real-world efficiency within a few percent, validating its aerodynamics and drivetrain design.
A Vision Coming to Life
“Our validation testing confirms that we’re on track to achieve our target energy consumption of roughly 100 Wh/mile—unlocking a level of efficiency that makes solar mobility possible in a way never seen before,” said Steve Fambro, Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Aptera. “What started as Matlab calculations is now coming to life on the road. This is the future of transportation.”
What’s Next for Aptera
Aptera is already working on its next validation vehicle, improving fit around gaps and optimizing parts for the final weight. Soon, the team will conduct more tests, including a full range test—from a full battery to empty—and measure the sEV’s solar charging in real-world conditions. These steps will solidify Aptera’s claim of building the world’s most efficient vehicle as it heads toward production.
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