- Aptera says its ‘Driven by the sun’ EV is three times more efficient than standard EVs
- It can travel over 10,000 miles per year on solar power in sunnier climates
- 700 watts of solar cells can produce up to 400 miles of range on a single charge
Aptera Motors, a California-based startup, has unveiled its production-ready solar-powred electric vehicle (EV) at the CES 2025 event in Las Vegas.
The company, founded as Accelerated Composites in 2006, claims that the EV’s 700 watts of integrated solar cells can produce up to 400 miles of range on single charge, and it takes just under an hour to charge to 100%.
Aptera says that without charging, it’s possible to drive up to 40 miles per day powered by sunlight, and the EV can travel over 10,000 miles annually on solar power in sunnier climates.
Four solar panels are placed strategically on the hood, dash, roof and hatch of the vehicle, the body of which is built from lightweight and robust carbon fiber sheet molding compound (CF-SMC).
The use of CF-SMC reduces the complexity of the design and as a result, the assembly of the EV requires less than one tenth of the parts of a traditional vehicle.
Aptera says it was looking to create “a future where every journey is powered by the sun.”
Chris Anthony, Co-CEO of Aptera, called the EV “a pivotal moment for sustainable mobility… This vehicle embodies years of innovation and relentless pursuit of energy-efficient mobility.
Unlike fossil fuel or grid-powered vehicles, Aptera’s EV is self-sufficient and generates its own energy. The car has nearly 50,000 reservations so far with a resulting $1.7bn in potential revenue.
The standard car costs $28,000 with add-ons such as range, a choice of 250 – 1,000 miles, quantity of solar panels and front or four wheel drive that can raise the price to $58,500 subject to change prior to delivery.
Aptera has been supported through equity crowdfunding, raising $135m to accelerate its journey to sustainability.
The company says its solar-powered EV is three times more efficient than standard EVs and 65% lighter. It also has record-low energy consumption at 100 Wh/mi and can go from 0-60 mph in less than six seconds.
The reduction in aerodynamic resistance comes as a result of the streamlined, teardrop shape, allowing the vehicle to glide through the air with the low drag.
This means that the EV uses 30% of the energy that an average vehicle does to travel the same distance, making it highly efficient.
The EV comfortably carries two people and can be bought with a camping kit for an extra $600 or a pet kit for $300.
The display shows your solar range, battery charge and estimated trip consumption. It also features two cameras just below the driver’s line of sight to provide visibility of blind spots.
