Remember Aptera Motors? The California-based company first unveiled its three-wheeled electric vehicle back in 2006. Since then, it’s been a tumultuous journey, marked by bankruptcies and changes in ownership.
In 2019, co-founders Steve Fambro and Chris Anthony regained control of the company. Over the years, Aptera has showcased various powertrain options for its three-wheeler, with the latest iteration being revealed as a concept in 2020 and the final product introduced early last year.
The latest Aptera model boasted a battery-electric trike design with composite bodywork adorned with 700 watts of solar panels. These solar panels could provide a 40-mile range per day under ideal conditions, while the batteries offered an estimated range of 400 miles.
Equipped with three motors in the wheels, the vehicle could accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 4 seconds, reaching a top speed of 101 mph. Inside, the cockpit featured a minimalist design reminiscent of a compact Tesla, while the spacious hatch provided 32 cubic feet of storage, akin to a larger Tesla model.
However, in 2011, during the company’s first liquidation, Aptera faced a familiar challenge: securing funding to bring its innovative vehicle to market.
To address this, the founders initiated an Accelerator Program akin to a new Kickstarter campaign, aiming to raise between $20 million and $50 million. This initiative evolved into a reservation program for 2,000 Launch Edition Apteras, requiring a $10,000 deposit, with additional perks offered for higher contributions.
Despite previous investments totaling over $100 million, previous backers were required to make a new investment to secure a reservation for the latest campaign. After surpassing their target, Aptera celebrated success with 2,040 investors contributing nearly $34 million.
This achievement enabled the company to proceed with pre-production and validation testing, facilitated by a $21.9 million grant from California’s Solar Mobility Manufacturing Project.
While Aptera progresses toward production, uncertainties remain regarding the timeline and additional funding needed for scaled manufacturing. Nonetheless, the company remains optimistic, buoyed by its substantial reservation base and ongoing developments.
For those curious about Aptera’s progress, founder Steve Fambrough recently provided updates on various aspects of the project, hinting at forthcoming changes to facilitate the transition to production reality.
Interested individuals can reserve a non-Launch Edition Aptera on the company’s website or explore the configurator, with prices starting at $25,900.
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