Its unique aerodynamic design and lightweight resin composite construction has been calculated to allow it to achieve that range by requiring less than 100 Wh of energy per mile, making it about 2.5 times as energy efficient as a Tesla Model 3.
Size
Although a three-wheeled Coupé for 2 passengers, the Aptera will not be a small car. It's overall height, width and front wheel tracking distance will be higher and wider than a Toyota Prius or a Tesla Model S. The Aptera's wheelbase is longer than a Prius's. At 172 inches long, it will be about 4 inches shorter than a Prius. However the Aptera will have a larger luggage capacity than a Prius or a Tesla Model 3.
Embedded solar cells will contribute up to an additional 41 miles per day from sunlight alone under ideal conditions. Since most users travel less than 30 miles per day, this feature will allow many users to seldom, if ever, need to plug it in to charge the batteries. Thus the Aptera is being promoted as the world's first "Never Charge" EV. The company's web site features a calculator to allow individuals to estimate how often they would need to charge an Aptera based on where they live and how much they drive. The Aptera will also be able to charge from standard 120 and 240 volt AC outlets using standard Level 1 and Level 2 charging station equipment. It will also accept high speed charges from CCS DC chargers. Three 50 kW in-wheel electric motors will power it. The in-wheel electric motor provider has been selected to be
Planned Configurations
Several solar panel and battery configurations are planned, at price targets ranging from $34 to $59 thousand. Both Standard and Long Range editions are specified to do 0 to 60 mph in under 4 seconds. A Performance Edition is also planned, specified to do that "in 3 seconds flat". The Standard Edition will have a 60 kWh battery pack and the Long Range Edition will have the 100 kWh battery pack. Both will be electronically speed limited to a top speed of 120 mph. A less expensive, lighter edition with a 400 mile range from a 40 kWh battery pack is also planned.
Availability
As of October 2019, the first prototypes of the revised Aptera BEV were planned for the first quarter of 2020. In February 2020, the CEO, Chris Anthony, stated that if the required $2.5 million funding was in place, production could begin in 9 months. Later that month the company announced it had raised enough funding to see the Aptera 3 into production by the end of 2020. Now the plan is to build and test development vehicles through the 3rd quarter of 2020, then move from development into production by the end of 2020.
