The switch from fossil fuel cars to electric cars is one of the key factors in the fight against climate change. However, many people are reluctant to buy an electric car because of its high cost and the lack of charging stations.
Aptera's solar car solves both problems. Aptera, a California-based startup, has already purchased a factory to produce it and plans to start production in 2022.
The Aptera is a lightweight three-wheeled vehicle with an aerodynamic body. These designs greatly improve its energy efficiency, minimizing the frequency with which drivers have to recharge it.
Thanks to the solar panels covering the Aptera vehicle, some owners manage to avoid having to recharge it at all, depending on the weather and the season. If the electric car is parked in the sun, the energy produced by the panels is enough to cover almost 65 km per day, which is enough to meet the needs of most people.
However, energy efficiency is of no use if no one can afford the car itself. Therefore, Aptera plans to sell the model with the shortest range (400 km) for only $25,900. To achieve this price, the startup will also optimize system performance.
Aptera announced in 2022 that its new plant will use autonomous "robot trucks" from equipment manufacturer RedViking. They will move the electric cars from one station to another during assembly.
According to Chris Anthony, CEO of Aptera, this approach will make it easier not only to make production changes in the future, but also to fix problems. For example, if there is a defect in a vehicle, Aptera can simply have the robot moved for further inspection.
Aptera has already received 25,000 preorders for its "solar car," and each potential customer has put down a $100 deposit.
By the end of 2022, the startup plans to begin shipping the first pre-production vehicles, that is, models that follow the prototype but precede mass production.
With feedback from early buyers, Aptera will make final changes and begin ramping up production. The goal is to produce 600,000 cars per year (assuming, of course, that consumers get used to the three-wheeled design).
