🠈 Aptera Motors 🠊
Aptera Motors
I've become mesmerized by the Aptera launch video. Aptera set out to create the most fuel efficient car on the market. The firm concentrated on aerodynamics. They developed a three wheel tear-shaped car.
The site claims that their car is more efficient than a bicycle. The company claims that the gas version of its initial vehicle was able to get 300 miles per gallon.
The focus on efficiency pays off in multiple ways. The car can drive further on the same battery packs as bulkier cars. It can charge faster and can charge from 110v cords.
The most impressive change is that the Aptera has received a level of efficiency that solar panels placed on the exterior of the vehicle can produce enough charge on a sunny day to drive 40 miles!
On December 4, 2020; Aptera announced that they would be producing the world's first production solar powered vehicle with the viral video shown above. The solar panels generate enough power on a sunny day to move the care 40 miles.
I decided to pre-order the vehicle. The web site has a referral program. This is my referral link. The referral link loads a coupon that reduces the pre-order price from $100 to $70. If a person clicked on my link, registered a pre-order and bought a car before I received my order; I might receive a discount on the car I ordered. (The chances of this happening are extremely low). The Aptera website (with out the referral link) is aptera.us.
Aptera Timeline
Aptera was conceived in 2005 and organized in 2006 with the goal of creating an aerodynamic vehicle. They chose a 3 wheel design. The company hired Paul Wilbur as CEO. Wilbur had the task complying with Federal Regulations.
Wilbur sought a loan from the Department of Energy. The DOE rejected the loan because the car had only 3 wheels. Wilbur compromised the design and took a final stab at getting the loan in 2011. The loan was rejected and the company failed.2
In 2019, the original founders bought the IP and are taking a stab at crowdfunding the vehicle.
- 2006: Steve Fambro founded the company as Accelerated Composites with the goal of making an energy efficient vehicle.
- 2006: Fambro hired Chris Anthony as COO.
- 2007: Aptera showed the typ-1 prototype at a TED Conference claiming it would get 330 MPG followed by the Aptera 2 Series.
- 2008: Paul Wilbur became CEO.
- 2009: Jay Leno bought one.
- 2009: Aptera sought a ATVM Loan from the Department of Energy, which rejected the three wheel model.
- 2011: Aptera switched to a 4-wheel design and applied for a $150 million ATVM loan which was also rejected.
- 2011: Aptera declared bankruptcy.
- 2019: Original founders reacquired the IP for the firm.
- 2020: On December 4, the company launched a crowdfunding campaign for the Aptera Paradigm solar vehicle and began taking orders.
- 2020: On December 14, the company achieved its goal of 3000 pre-orders.
- 2021: In January I placed a pre-oder.
NOTE: I placed an order for a car, but do not have means to pay for my order. Aptera has a referral program. I hope that people use my link to visit the site. I might receive a discount on my order if the referral link results in sales.
References:
- Wikipedia - Aptera Motors (Drawn 1/17/2021)
- Green Car Reports - Aptera Collapse (Drawn 1/17/2021)