Aptera Motors

{{Short description|American solar electric vehicle startup}} {{use mdy dates |date=July 2022 |cs1-dates=yy}} {{Infobox company | name = Aptera Motors Corp. | logo = Apteralogo.png | logo_size = 200px | image = APTERA2019 ASPHALT-DOORS-CLOSED crop.jpg | type = Public | traded_as = {{NASDAQ|SEV}} | founded = {{Unbulleted list | 2006, folded 2011 | restarted 2012, folded 2014 | restarted 2019 }} | founders = {{Unbulleted list | Steven P. Fambro (Co-CEO) | Chris L. Anthony (Co-CEO) | Michael Johnson }} | num_employees = 57 | num_employees_year = 2026 | hq_location_city = Carlsbad, California | hq_location_country = United States | area_served = California (upon initial production) | key_people = {{Unbulleted list | Jason Hill (Design) | Nathan Armstrong (CTO) }} | industry = Automotive | products = electric three-wheeler | net_income = {{Unbulleted list | class=nowrap | {{Decrease}} (loss) $43.9 million (2025) | {{Increase}} (loss) $34.9 million (2024) | {{Increase}} (loss) $59.2 million (2023) | {{Decrease}} (loss) $61.5 million (2022) }} | assets = {{Unbulleted list | class=nowrap | {{Decrease}} $34.9 million (2024) | {{Decrease}} $37.6 million (2023) | {{Increase}} $39.9 million (2022) }} | website = {{URL|aptera.us}} |footnotes=<ref>{{cite web |title=Aptera Motors Corp. Annual Report 2023 |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1786471/000149315224013049/formc-ar.htm |website=SEC |date=April 3, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{citation |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1786471/000149315225009865/partii.htm |title=Aptera Motors Corp. Annual Report 2024 |date=March 11, 2025 |website=SEC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=13 May 2026 |title=SEC Filing - Form 8-K - Aptera Motors Corp. |url=https://ir.aptera.us/node/7491/html#ex99-1.htm |access-date=21 May 2026 |website=Aptera Motors Corp.}}</ref> }}

'''Aptera Motors Corp.''' is an American solar electric vehicle manufacturer based in Carlsbad, California which intends to manufacture an electric two-seat three-wheeler. Founded as Aptera Motors Inc. in 2006, the company was liquidated in 2011 with no vehicles mass-produced. A second company named Aptera USA owned by Zhejiang Jonway Group was launched in 2012 but appeared to cease operations by 2014 and produced no vehicles by 2019. A third company, Aptera Motors Corp, was relaunched by the original founders in 2019. The company started being publicly traded on the NASDAQ in 2025.

The 2019 company had planned to start deliveries of its vehicles since 2021. It had raised $140 million from 2019 to April 2025 and another $17M by March 2026. Aptera ended 2025 with $10M in cash, an annual net loss of $44M, and as of March 2026 it plans starting low-scale production no earlier than March 2027 pending raising a further $50 million.

== Business activity == === Aptera Motors Inc. (2006) === Aptera was founded as Accelerated Composites in 2006 by Steve Fambro, who formerly worked at Illumina. Fambro hired Chris Anthony as COO shortly after founding the company.<ref name=nctimes>{{Cite web | url = http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/09/26/business/news/7_01_009_25_07.prt| title = Prototype gets 300 mpg, company says, qualifies for car-pool lane | last = Bradley| first = Fikes| date = September 25, 2007| publisher = North County Times | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080608224625/http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/09/26/business/news/7_01_009_25_07.prt|archive-date=June 8, 2008}}</ref> The company name was later changed to Aptera Motors, referencing the Greek word "aptera" (άπτερα) which the company interprets as "wingless flight."<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a15146037/2010-aptera-2e-review/ |title=2010 Aptera 2e |first=Steve |last=Siler |date=March 19, 2009 |website=Car and Driver}}</ref> In 2006, the company announced it had a three-wheeled car design, classified as a motorcycle, that would get an estimated {{convert|330|mpgus|L/100 km}} at {{convert|65|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name=nctimes/> Aptera Motors hired several industry veterans in 2008 to oversee engineering and production as well as marketing. The company raised $24 million from Google and Idealab, and announced plans to bring its car to market by the end of 2008.<ref name=Wert2009>{{cite news|last1=Wert|first1=Ray|title=Aptera Founders Ousted in Boardroom Showdown|url=http://jalopnik.com/5405602/aptera-founders-ousted-in-boardroom-showdown|work=Jalopnik|date=November 16, 2009}}</ref>

Near the end of 2008, the company hired Paul Wilbur as CEO and announced that the launch of the vehicle, called "typ-1" or "2e", would be delayed until 2009. The company's new leadership purported potential customers regarded the existing design as impractical, indicating fixed door windows as example; implementing roll-down windows would require redesigning the car's structural shell.<ref name=Wert2009/> Approximately 4,000 people signed up as potential customers for a planned California-only launch.<ref>{{citation |last1=Patel |first1=Nilay |title=Aptera rolls out first pre-production vehicle, promises shipments in October |url=https://www.engadget.com/2009-01-23-aptera-rolls-out-first-pre-production-vehicle-promises-shipment.html |website=Engadget |date=January 23, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315235629/https://www.engadget.com/2009-01-23-aptera-rolls-out-first-pre-production-vehicle-promises-shipment.html |archive-date=March 15, 2023}}</ref> Aptera founders Fambro and Anthony contributed less to the operations of the company, though they remained on the board of directors. Fambro was assigned to Aptera's advanced concepts group, while Anthony spent less time at Aptera, acting as CEO for another company developing battery management systems.<ref name="WiredFired">{{cite news |last1=Siry |first1=Darryl |title=Aptera Founder Takes a Permanent Vacation |url=https://www.wired.com/2010/02/steve-fambro-leaves-aptera/ |access-date=1 October 2023 |publisher=Wired |date=1 February 2010}}</ref><ref name="Popular-Mechanics-Nov-2009">{{citation |first=Ben |last=Stewart |title=Aptera's False Rumors: Founders Not "Ousted"—On Vacation |date=November 15, 2009 |website=Popular Mechanics |url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/a4808/4337060/ |access-date=2025-08-25 |archive-date=2023-03-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321005810/https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/a4808/4337060/ }}</ref>

Aptera applied for a loan from the Department of Energy under the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program. The application was rejected in December 2008, because three-wheelers such as the one made by Aptera were not defined as "cars"<ref name="Voelcker-2011" /> which were required to be four-wheeled.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/03/aptera-legislat/ |title=Tri, Tri Again for Aptera 3-Wheeler Loan From Feds | Autopia |magazine=Wired |date= March 11, 2009|access-date=October 25, 2009 |first=Chuck |last=Squatriglia| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091113173941/http://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/03/aptera-legislat/| archive-date= November 13, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> Aptera successfully lobbied to change the regulations,<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Squatriglia |first1=Chuck |title=Obama Says Aptera's 3-Wheeler Is a Car |url=https://www.wired.com/2009/10/aptera-doe/|magazine=Wired|date=2009-10-30 |access-date=2020-02-25}}</ref> and reapplied for a $184 million loan<ref>{{Cite web|last=Korzeniewski |first=Jeremy |url=http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/30/aptera-officialy-resubmits-application-for-doe-loan/ |title=Aptera officially resubmits application for DOE loan – Autoblog Green |publisher=Green.autoblog.com |date=October 30, 2009 |access-date=September 6, 2010}}</ref><ref name="apteraforum.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.apteraforum.com/showthread.php?t=4211 |title=April 14 Press Release |date=April 14, 2010 |access-date=April 15, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707154247/http://www.apteraforum.com/showthread.php?t=4211 |archive-date=July 7, 2011 }}</ref> in January 2010. The department's sales projections for the Aptera 2e showed it would not enable Aptera to repay its loan. Aptera shifted all its development efforts in January 2011 to a mid-sized four-wheeled four-door sedan, dubbed the 4e.<ref name="Voelcker-2011" /> Aptera Motors started to return deposits from customers on August 12, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1064883_futuristic-electric-car-dream-dead-aptera-to-refund-deposits|title=Futuristic Electric-Car Dream Dead? Aptera To Refund Deposits|first=John |last=Voelcker|publisher=Green Car Reports|date=August 13, 2011|access-date=August 13, 2011}}</ref> At the time, the company reported 60,000 people had expressed interest in buying the 2e vehicle, and 2,000 of them had paid a $500 deposit.<ref name=NorthBayBusinessJournal>{{cite news |url=https://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/article/industry-news/santa-rosa-said-to-be-home-for-reborn-aptera-electric-roadster/ |title=Santa Rosa said to be home for reborn Aptera electric roadster |author=Quackenbush |work=North Bay Business Journal |date=May 7, 2012 |access-date=March 15, 2023}}</ref>

The Department of Energy issued a conditional commitment letter for $150 million of loans for Aptera, pending the company raising of $80 million privately. When the DoE declined a loan application for a similarly plastic-bodied car by a different company in November 2011, Aptera investors refused to grant it further funds.<ref name="Voelcker-2011" /> In December 2011, the company announced that it could not raise the funds required to continue operating.<ref name=NYT>{{cite news|url=http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/02/unable-to-raise-financing-aptera-shuts-down/?ref=automobiles|title=Unable to Raise Financing, Aptera Shuts Down|first=Jim |last=Motavalli|work=The New York Times|date=December 2, 2011|access-date=December 3, 2011}}</ref> The company was sold and liquidated in December 2011, after starting to return customer deposits in August.<ref name="ReutersLiquid">{{cite news |last1=Groom |first1=Nichola |title=California electric car startup Aptera shuts down |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-aptera-idUSTRE7B201D20111203 |access-date=3 October 2023 |publisher=Reuters |date=2 December 2011}}</ref> By December the majority of the deposits had been returned according to Aptera, though some depositors reported difficulty contacting Aptera or its liquidators.<ref name="Voelcker-2011">{{citation |url=https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1070490_aptera-collapse-how-why-it-happened-a-complete-chronology |title=Aptera Collapse: How & Why It Happened, A Complete Chronology |first=John |last=Voelcker |date=December 12, 2011 |website=Green Car Report}}</ref>

=== Aptera USA (2012) === In April 2012, the Chinese automaker Zhejiang Jonway Group purchased the intellectual property of Aptera Motors from creditors, and in May, it announced that it would start manufacturing the 2e at its factory in Shanghai and intended to ship chassis to a small assembly plant, initially employing 15-20 people, that it would set up in Santa Rosa, with sales commencing in early 2013. Jonway was a major investor in Zap Jonway, which had been working on electric cars in Santa Rosa since the mid-1990s. The company planned to name the US company "Zaptera USA" and it displayed a prototype 2e next to a Zap Jonway car at the Beijing Motor Show. However, the close association with Zap was met with protest by electric-car enthusiasts and by May, the company said it would call the company Aptera USA and keep it independent of Zap Jonway. The company stated it would manufacture 5000 vehicles by the end of 2012.<ref name=NorthBayBusinessJournal />

In June 2013, Zaptera USA said it would split into two companies: the existing Jonway-owned Zaptera USA, and an independent Aptera USA; Zaptera would make the all-electric 2e and Aptera would make a gasoline-powered version called the 2g.<ref name=NewAtlas2013>{{cite news|last1=Coxworth|first1=Ben|title=New company set to resurrect the Aptera automobile|url=http://newatlas.com/aptera-independent-production-us/27868/|work=New Atlas|date=June 10, 2013|language=en}}</ref> The companies as of June 2013 were still planning on releasing vehicles in early 2014,<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.foxnews.com/auto/200-mpg-aptera-still-in-the-works-says-owner |title=200 mpg Aptera still in the works, says owner |date=June 10, 2013 |website=Fox News}}</ref> but provided no further updates by May 2014<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sloan |first1=Jeff |title=Where Are They Now? |url=https://www.compositesworld.com/columns/where-are-they-now |website=CompositesWorld |date=May 31, 2014 |publisher=Gardner Business Media, Inc. |access-date=14 January 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140723102311/https://www.compositesworld.com/columns/where-are-they-now |archive-date=July 23, 2014}}</ref> and did not manufacture any vehicles by 2019.<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/sebastianblanco/2019/08/28/aptera-coming-back-with-a-34000-aerodynamic-trike-maybe/ |title=Aptera Coming Back With A $34,000 Aerodynamic Trike, Maybe |first=Sebastian |last=Blanco |website=Forbes |date=August 28, 2019}}</ref>

=== Aptera Motors Corp. (2019) === The company was relaunched in 2019 as Aptera Motors Corp. by the original Aptera founders, Chris Anthony and Steve Fambro.<ref name="Spectrum1">{{cite web |last1=Voelcker |first1=John |date=2019-08-28 |title=Exclusive: 3-Wheeled Aptera Reboots as World's Most Efficient Electric Car |url= https://spectrum.ieee.org/exclusive-3wheeled-aptera-reboots-as-worlds-most-efficient-electric-car |website=IEEESpectrum.org |publisher= IEEE |access-date=14 January 2020}}</ref> The company planned on using a crowdfunding campaign to restart development of the vehicle.<ref name="Spectrum1"/> On December 8, 2020, the company presented a driveable prototype and started accepting reservations. By December 14 the company had over 3000 refundable preorders for $100 each.<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/aptera-3000-preorders-for-solar-powered-ev-2020-12 |title=Aptera has taken more than 3,000 orders for a new solar-powered EV arriving in 2021 that it says never needs to be charged |first=Tim |last=Levin |date=December 14, 2020 |website=Business Insider}}</ref>

Multiple solar panel, motor, and battery configurations were planned, with estimated ranges from {{cvt|250|to|1,000|miles}}, and initial estimated prices from $25,900 to over $47,000.<ref>{{cite web |last=Markus |first=Frank |date=2021-09-30 |title=2022 Aptera First Look: The Solar-Powered Electric Vehicle |url=https://www.motortrend.com/news/2022-aptera-solar-ev-first-look-review/ |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=Motor Trend |publisher=Discovery, Inc.}}</ref> The {{cvt|400|mile|km|adj=on}} model, initially priced at $29,800,<ref>{{citation |url=https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/watch-apteras-solar-powered-3-wheel-ev-cruise-southern-californias-winding-coastal-roads-1234618320/ |title=Watch Aptera's Solar-Powered 3-Wheel EV Cruise Southern California's Winding Coastal Roads |first=Rachel |last=Cormack |date= June 9, 2021 |website=Robb Report}}</ref> was priced by Aptera in 2025 at $40,000 for the front-wheel drive option<ref name="MotorTrend-40000-dollars" /> which the company planned as of 2023 to be the only available model on release.<ref name="BI">{{cite web| title=Solar electric vehicle startup says its car will go 400 miles on a full battery and never needs to be charged |url= https://www.businessinsider.com/aptera-electric-vehicle-launch-edition-solar-panel-car-2023-1| work= businessinsider.com |publisher=Insider Inc. |access-date=2023-07-16}}</ref>

Aptera planned delivering production units of the Aptera vehicle in 2021, and projected sales of the first 314 vehicles at a loss with a cost of goods of about $6 million and operating expenses of about $15 million. Aptera projected sales of 4,287 vehicles at a profit of $38 million the following year, with a cost of goods of about $92 million and about $16 million in operating expenses.<ref name="investor-presentation-2020">{{cite press release |title=Aptera - Modernizing Vehicle Design & Manufacturing - INVESTOR PRESENTATION |url=https://dfon51l7zffjj.cloudfront.net/uploads/company_attachment/file/51975-bwe45xy9axIVOuR2TcC7FPGT/Wefunder_Investor_Presentation_v2.pdf |website=Wefunder |publisher=Aptera Motors|via=cloudfront.net}}</ref> By October 2021 Aptera had raised $28 million.<ref>{{citation |url=https://electrek.co/2021/10/28/an-up-close-look-at-the-aptera-sevs-and-interview-with-co-founder-chris-anthony/ |title=An up close look at the Aptera SEVs and interview with co-founder Chris Anthony |website=electrek |author=Scooter Doll |date=October 28, 2021}}</ref> By February 2022, most planned deliveries were pushed from 2022 to 2023 and 2024.<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.carscoops.com/2022/02/if-you-ordered-an-aptera-your-delivery-might-have-been-pushed-back-to-2023-or-2024/ |title=If You Ordered An Aptera, Your Delivery Might Have Been Pushed Back To 2023 Or 2024 |author=Stephen Rivers |date=February 13, 2022 |website=CarScoops}}</ref>

Aptera released its 2021 annual report in May 2022, stating they had 103 employees and over 18,000 reservations for their solar electric vehicle.<ref>{{Cite web |last=SEC |title=Aptera Motors Corp 2021 Annual Report 1-K |date=2022-05-02 |url= https://sec.report/Document/0001193125-22-136559/ |access-date=2022-05-03 |website=SEC.report |language= en}}</ref> By mid 2022, the company raised a total of $40 million, planning to get to production by the end of the year.<ref>{{citation |url=https://electrek.co/2022/06/06/aptera-raises-million-solar-electric-car-1000-miles-range-production/ |title=Aptera raises $40 million to bring solar electric car with up to 1,000 miles of range to production |first=Fred |last=Lambert |date=June 6, 2022 |website=electrek}}</ref> They acquired three buildings in Carlsbad, California, with a combined space of over {{cvt|100,000| sqft}}.<ref>{{Cite web| last= Ruffo| first=Gustavo Henrique|date=2021-11-08|title=Aptera Plans Micro-Factories and IPO in Nine to Eighteen Months| url=https://www.autoevolution.com/news/aptera-plans-micro-factories-and-ipo-in-nine-to-eighteen-months-173711.html|access-date=2021-12-21|website=autoevolution.com|language=en}}</ref> In November 2022 Aptera announced they have redesigned the structural components of the vehicle, and it requires more funding before they can get to production.<ref>{{citation |url=https://insideevs.com/news/627567/aptera-delta-design-update/ |title=Aptera Shares Design Update, Says It's On Track To Start Production |first=Andrei |last=Nedelea |date=December 20, 2022 |website=InsideEVs}}</ref>

In January 2023 the company announced a fund drive to raise $50 million, saying they needed at least that amount to start production.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Dnistran |first=Iulian |date=2023-03-16 |title=Aptera Extends Its Accelerator Program, Needs More Money To Start Production |url=https://insideevs.com/news/657520/aptera-accelerator-program-extends/ |magazine= Inside EVs |location=Miami |publisher=Motorsport Network |access-date=2023-10-03}}</ref> The company announced in February that the funds would allow for the "initial phases of production", and the following month said it requires additional funds to produce and deliver vehicles to customers.<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1142486_aptera-lacks-funds-solar-ev-hints-of-design-changes |title=Aptera lacks the funds to produce solar EV, hints of design changes |first=Bengt |last=Halvorson |date=March 6, 2024 |website=GreenCarReport}}</ref> Aptera Motors' stated in their 2022 annual report released in May 2023 that the company then had 55 full-time employees. They reported $39.9 million in total assets and an operating loss of $61.5 million.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Daw |first=Cameron |title= ANNUAL REPORT Aptera Motors Corp. |date=2023-05-02 | website= SEC.gov| url= https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1786471/000164460023000077/ApteraCARandFinancials.pdf |access-date=2023-05-09 }}</ref>

Zaptera, which purchased the intellectual property of Aptera Motors Inc. in 2012,<ref name=NorthBayBusinessJournal /> sued Aptera Motors Corp. in 2024 over various alleged intellectual property infringements. Some of the allegations relating to trade secrets were dismissed with prejudice in 2025.<ref name="Justia 3:2024cv01413">{{Cite web |url= https://dockets.justia.com/docket/california/casdce/3:2024cv01413/790929 |title= Zaptera USA, Inc. v. Aptera Motors Corp. et al |id= 3:2024cv01413 |publisher= Justia |work= Dockets & Filings }} </ref><ref name= MLex-2311455>{{cite news |work= MLex |publisher= LexisNexis |title=Aptera critiques Zaptera's 'inevitable disclosure' theory of misappropriation |url= https://www.mlex.com/mlex/articles/2311455/aptera-critiques-zaptera-s-inevitable-disclosure-theory-of-misappropriation |id= 2311455 |first=Melissa |last=Ritti |date= 17 March 2025 }} </ref><ref name=Aptera.us-20250606>{{cite web |url= https://aptera.us/update-on-zaptera-litigation/ |title= Aptera Motors Corp. Shares an Update on Zaptera Litigation |date= 6 June 2025 |publisher= Aptera Motors Corp }}</ref> The lawsuit was finally settled April, 2026. Zaptera dismissed all claims "without right of appeal."<ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-04-16 |title=Aptera Motors Resolves Legal Dispute With Zaptera USA |url=https://trendonify.com/news/sec-filings/aptera-motors-resolves-legal-dispute-with-zaptera-usa-159068 |access-date=2026-05-21 |work=Trendonify}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-04-14 |title=Aptera Motors Resolves Legal Matter with Zaptera USA, Inc. |url=https://aptera.us/legal-matter-resolved/ |access-date=2026-05-21 |website=aptera.us |language=en-US}}</ref>

Aptera stated in June 2024 that they have finalized the design of the vehicle in late 2023.<ref>{{cite press release |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618223000/https://issuanceexpress.com/aptera-regcf/ |url=https://issuanceexpress.com/aptera-regcf/ |archive-date=2024-06-18 |url-status=dead |title=Aptera June 2024 Investor Webinar |publisher=Aptera Motors Corp. |date=June 6, 2024 |access-date=2025-04-14 }}</ref> Aptera announced in July 2024 that they have replaced the hub motor design of the drivetrain with a Vitesco Technologies axle drive motor design.<ref name="aptera-ditches-hub-motors">{{citation |url=https://cleantechnica.com/2024/07/25/aptera-ditches-hub-motors-for-now-makes-real-progress-toward-2025-production/ |title=Aptera Ditches Hub Motors (For Now), Makes Real Progress Toward 2025 Production |first=Jennifer |last=Sensiba |date=July 25, 2024 |website=CleanTechnica}}</ref> The company demonstrated its production-intent PI2 model in October 2024.<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.autoweek.com/news/a62776435/aptera-pi2-solar-car/ |magazine=Autoweek |title=Whatever Happened To Aptera, Anyway? |first=Mark |last=Vaughn |date=31 October 2024}}</ref> Electric vehicle startup Telo Trucks partnered with Aptera in January 2025 to offer solar panels as an option for its compact MT1 pickup truck.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-15 |title=Telo electric truck to feature solar panels from Aptera |url=https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1145511_telo-electric-truck-to-feature-solar-panels-from-aptera |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=Green Car Reports |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Doll |first=Scooter |date=2025-01-15 |title=Ultra-compact electric truck startup TELO partners with Aptera to integrate solar tech |url=https://electrek.co/2025/01/15/compact-electric-truck-startup-telo-partners-aptera-integrate-solar-tech/ |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=Electrek |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2025-01-15 |title=TELO Trucks Partners with Aptera to Introduce Solar Panel Configurations to Revolutionize Mobility |url=https://aptera.us/telo-trucks-partners-with-aptera/ |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=Aptera |language=en-US}}</ref>

Aptera announced in April 2025 the company raised a total of $130 million through crowdfunding and $10 million from other investors, and the company requires an additional $60 million before it can start low-volume production,<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.inc.com/chloe-aiello/this-futuristic-solar-powered-aptera-ev-just-took-a-long-road-trip/91170186 |title=This Futuristic Solar-Powered EV Just Took a Road Trip Across the American West |first=Chloe |last=Aiello |date=April 1, 2025 |website=inc.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dnistran |first=Iulian |date=2024-12-03 |title=Aptera Needs Your Money To Bring Its Solar EV To The Market--Again |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/aptera-needs-your-money-to-bring-its-solar-ev-to-the-market-again/ar-AA1vbVK4 |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=www.msn.com}}</ref> with deliveries planned for late 2025.<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/365559/aptera-solar-car-ready-shine-road-ps32k |date=April 1, 2025 |first=Richard |last=Ingram |website=Auto Express |title=Aptera solar car does 300 miles – powered only by the sun!}}</ref><ref>{{citation |url=https://electrek.co/2025/01/08/aptera-shows-its-production-intent-solar-ev-at-ces-ships-this-year/ |title=Aptera shows its production-intent solar EV at CES, ships this year? (Update) |first=Jameson |last=Dow |date=January 8, 2025 |website=electrek}}</ref> The company planned as of April 2025 for initial sales in 2026 and full-scale production in 2028.<ref>{{citation |url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-04-18/business/industry/Exclusive-Hankook-Tire-to-supply-tires-for-Aptera-solar-EVs/2286672 |title=Exclusive: Hankook Tire to supply tires for Aptera solar EVs |first=Sarah |last=Chea |website=Korea JoongAng Daily |date=April 18, 2025}}</ref> The company announced in October 2025 it had secured a $75 million equity line of credit and had transitioned to a Public Benefit Corporation trading on Nasdaq under the symbol SEV.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aptera Motors Transitions to Public Benefit Corporation, Adds Industry Veterans to Board |url=https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/detail?dockey=1330-9549889en-6PJBF2OR85MCL9B444K9P2R676 |website=Financial Times}}</ref> Aptera announced in March 2026 it has raised a further $17M, and plans starting low-scale production no earlier than March 2027 pending raising a further $50 million.<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001786471/000149315226013581/form10-k.htm |title=FORM 10-K For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 Aptera Motors Corp.|section=Liquidity and Capital Resources}}</ref>

== Prototypes == ===Aptera Mk-0 and Mk-1/Typ-1=== {{Redirect-distinguish|Typ-1|Type 1 (disambiguation){{!}}Type 1}} {{Infobox automobile | name = Aptera Mk-1 | image = File:Apteracar2.jpg | aka = | assembly = United States | class = Subcompact | body_style = 2-door three-wheeled car | engine = {{Unbulleted list | '''Diesel''': {{cvt|9|kW|hp|0}} | '''Electric''': {{cvt|19|kW|hp|0}} }} | transmission = CVT | wheelbase = {{cvt|1625|mm|in|0}} | length = {{cvt|4394|mm|in|0}} | width = | height = | weight = {{cvt|386|kg|lb|0}} | sp = us }}

The 2006 Aptera Motors' vehicle design has undergone several design revisions. The first two prototypes, Aptera Mk-0 and Mk-1, were intended as concept cars for attracting investor funds, rather than as production vehicles. The third vehicle, the Aptera 2e, was intended for production, but the required funding was not achieved.

Aptera's introductory press release stated its design would achieve {{cvt|330|mpgUS|L/100km mpgimp}}, and included computer renderings of the vehicle. The body shape was estimated to have a {{Cd|0.055 to 0.06|long=yes|link=car}}, and would have sported a {{cvt|12|hp|kW|0}} diesel engine and a {{cvt|24|hp|kW|0}} permanent magnet DC motor. The design also called for a CVT and ultracapacitors, and would sell for under US$20,000 {{asof|2006|lc=y}}.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=108992 |title=330 MPG! Aptera Hybrid Promises Amazing Mileage for Less Than $20,000 |access-date=November 22, 2007 |date=January 20, 2006 |publisher=Edmunds.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061010013619/http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId%3D108992 |archive-date=October 10, 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Media |first=BioAge |title=Green Car Congress: Startup Introduces 330MPG Diesel Hybrid Design |url=http://www.greencarcongress.com/2006/01/startup_introdu.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071209164634/http://www.greencarcongress.com/2006/01/startup_introdu.html |archive-date=2007-12-09 |access-date=2025-12-28 |website=www.greencarcongress.com}}</ref>

In September 2007, the Aptera Motors website was updated with the new Aptera design dubbed the Aptera Typ-1, and the Mk-1 pre-production prototype was unveiled. It was redesigned from the Mk-0 prototype by Jason Hill, who worked on the Smart Fortwo and Porsche Carrera GT and engineered by Nathan Armstrong,<ref name="Wired-2008">{{Cite news | url = https://www.wired.com/cars/futuretransport/magazine/16-01/ff_100mpg | title = 1 Gallon of Gas, 100 Miles – $10 Million: The Race to Build the Supergreen Car | access-date =April 1, 2008 | last = Eric | first = Hagerman | date = December 20, 2007 | publisher = Wired Magazine | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080509104729/http://www.wired.com/cars/futuretransport/magazine/16-01/ff_100mpg| archive-date= May 9, 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> with a finished interior and new body styling. Aptera Motors then began accepting reservations from California residents for its pilot models – then called the Typ-1e and Typ-1h which are the electric and EREV gasoline-hybrid variants respectively.<ref name="ohgizmo">{{Cite web | url = http://ohgizmo.com/2007/09/28/aptera-electrichybrid-car-on-pre-order-for-500/ | title = OhGizmo! » Archive » Aptera Electric/Hybrid Car On Pre-Order for $500 | access-date =May 13, 2008 | last = Ackerman | first = Evan | date = September 28, 2007 | publisher = OhGizmo! | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080517070328/http://www.ohgizmo.com/2007/09/28/aptera-electrichybrid-car-on-pre-order-for-500/| archive-date= May 17, 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> The switch from a diesel hybrid to a gasoline-hybrid was due to the difficulty to get the diesel engine emissions certified in California.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Media |first=BioAge |title=Green Car Congress: Aptera Motors Unveils Electric and Plug-In Hybrid Versions of Typ-1 |url=http://www.greencarcongress.com/2007/11/aptera-motors-u.html#more |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071223163340/http://www.greencarcongress.com/2007/11/aptera-motors-u.html#more |archive-date=2007-12-23 |access-date=2025-12-28 |website=www.greencarcongress.com}}</ref>

Aptera entered its vehicle into the automotive X-prize competition in September 2010 but the vehicle didn't finish the 50-lap trial as it overheated after 30 laps.<ref>{{cite news|title=Automotive X Prize: Why some teams failed|url=http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2010/09/automotive-x-prize-why-some-teams-failed/index.htm|work=Consumer Reports News|date=September 23, 2010}}</ref> {{clear}}

===Aptera 2 Series=== {{Infobox automobile |name=Aptera 2 Series |image=Apteracar1.jpg |aka=Aptera 2e, Aptera 2h |class=Subcompact |body_style=2-door three-wheeled car |layout=Front-engine, front-wheel drive layout |engine='''2e''': Remy 82 kW electric motor<br/>'''2h''': Gasoline generator + electric motor<ref name ="EcoWorld"> {{Cite web|url=http://www.ecoworld.com/blog/2007/10/16/apteras-series-hybrid/ |title=Aptera's Series Hybrid |accessdate=2007-12-11 |last=Ring |first=Ed |date=2007-10-16 |publisher=EcoWorld |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071022064428/http://www.ecoworld.com/blog/2007/10/16/apteras-series-hybrid/ |archive-date=2007-10-22 |url-status=dead }} </ref> |transmission='''2e''': Borg-Warner single ratio transaxle<ref name="brochure">{{Cite web|url=http://www.aptera.com/brochure/APTERA_2009_2E_BROCHURE.pdf|title=Aptera 2e Brochure|accessdate=2010-04-15|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102212615/http://aptera.com/brochure/APTERA_2009_2E_BROCHURE.pdf|archivedate=2010-01-02}}</ref><br/>'''2h:''' Series hybrid layout |wheelbase={{cvt|111|in|mm|0|order=flip}}<ref name="brochure"/> |length={{cvt|173.0|in|mm|0|order=flip}}<ref name="brochure"/> |width={{cvt|91.0|in|mm|0|order=flip}}<ref name="brochure"/> |height={{cvt|53.0|in|mm|0|order=flip}}<ref name="brochure"/> |weight={{cvt|1500|lb|kg|0|order=flip}}<ref name="brochure"/> |related= |designer=Jason Hill |sp=us }}

The next Aptera Motors' design was a three-wheeled two-seat vehicle named the Aptera 2 Series. Its advertised fuel efficiency of {{cvt|300|mpgUS|L/100km mpgimp}}, when plugged in every {{cvt|120|miles|km}}, would have made it one of the most fuel-efficient passenger vehicles in the world.<ref name = "PopSci1">{{Cite web| url = http://www.popsci.com/cars/article/2006-09/race-100-mpg| title = The Race to 100 MPG| access-date =November 22, 2007| last = Baker| first = Billy| date = September 1, 2006| publisher = | work= Popular Science}}</ref>

The first prototype attained a {{Cd|0.11|long=yes}}<ref name="EcoWorld"/> by making use of an "Eyes-Forward" rear-view camera system instead of side-view mirrors, which create a large amount of drag. A September 2008 Aptera newsletter showed a rendering of the car featuring a conventional driver-side mirror and no driver-side rear-view camera.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aptera.com/newsletter092508/ |title=Aptera 25 September 2008 |accessdate=2008-10-01 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081003015928/http://aptera.com/newsletter092508/ |archivedate=2008-10-03 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Aptera CTO Steve Fambro stated that the system was simplified to make use of a single camera mounted near the top of the vehicle.<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://www.techzulu.com/the-aptera-its-electric.html |title= The Aptera. It's Electric! |accessdate= 2010-05-18 |date= 2008-11-20 |last= Coolong |first= Amanda |publisher= TechZulu.com |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100618205505/http://www.techzulu.com/the-aptera-its-electric.html |archivedate= 2010-06-18 |url-status= dead }}</ref>

An early Aptera 2h design used a "small, water-cooled EFI gasoline engine with closed loop oxygen feedback and catalytic converter," coupled with a 12 kW generator/starter.<ref name=ApteraDetails>{{Cite web |url= http://www.aptera.com/details.php |title= Aptera Details |accessdate= 2010-05-18 |publisher= Aptera Motors |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100515175845/http://www.aptera.com/details.php |archivedate= 2010-05-15 |url-status= dead }}</ref> With a tank capacity of "up to five gallons,"<ref name= "EcoWorld" /> the Aptera 2h would have a claimed range of {{cvt|600|to|700|miles|km|-1}},<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cbs8.com/story.php?id=104287 |title=Jetsons-Style Car Gets Space Age Mileage |date=2007-09-28 |accessdate=2008-01-19 |publisher=News 8 KFMB, San Diego |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071227175436/http://www.cbs8.com/story.php?id=104287 |archivedate=2007-12-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref> compared to the {{cvt|120|miles|-1}} range of the Aptera 2e. The 2h would have been a series hybrid: The engine would not be connected to the drivetrain, instead being used to recharge the batteries.

The company opened pre-ordering for residents of California, but stopped taking deposits in July 2011. The following month, Aptera announced it would return all deposits from customers who had signed up to buy a car.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1064883_futuristic-electric-car-dream-dead-aptera-to-refund-deposits|title=Futuristic Electric-Car Dream Dead? Aptera To Refund Deposits|first=John |last=Voelcker|publisher=Green Car Reports|date=13 August 2011|accessdate=13 August 2011}}</ref>

===Aptera 4-door=== By the time of the original company's liquidation in 2011, it had abandoned development of the Aptera 2e and had begun design of a 5-passenger, 4-wheeled EV sedan with a lightweight composite body and a projected 130-mile range. No body and only a few test mules for the car were built.<ref name=NYT/>

=== Aptera solar vehicle === thumb|upright=1.2 |Rendering of the 2019 version of the Aptera showing its solar panels {{Main|Aptera (solar electric vehicle)}}

Aptera Motors Corp announced four planned generations of prototypes for its Aptera solar vehicle, with the third stage of prototypes nearing the final production design, and the fourth representing a prototype that's identical to production vehicles.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Sensiba |first=Jennifer |date=2021-11-02 |title=Aptera Ends Alpha Production, Beta Production Under Way |url=https://cleantechnica.com/2021/11/02/aptera-ends-alpha-production-beta-production-under-way/ |magazine=CleanTechnica |location= |publisher= |access-date=2023-10-03}}</ref>

The first planned production Aptera vehicles in 2019 were again two-seat, three-wheeled passenger battery electric vehicle (BEVs). The company plans 4 models with different battery sizes and predicted EPA test-cycle ranging from {{cvt|250|miles|km}} up to {{cvt|1,000|miles|km}}. The initial "Launch Edition" model is planned to have a 42 kWh (usable) battery pack and a predicted range of {{cvt|400|miles|km}}.<ref name="hot">{{Cite web |last=Lambrecht |first=Andrew |date=2023-07-18 |title=Can Aptera make a cheap solar EV? |url=https://www.hotcars.com/apteras-affordable-solar-ev-plans/ |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=HotCars |language=en}}</ref> This would make it the most efficient motor vehicle designed for mass production at the time, with the longest battery range.<ref name = Spectrum1/> Embedded solar panels were designed to contribute up to an estimated additional {{cvt|40|miles|km|round=5}} per day from sunlight under optimal conditions.<ref name="BI"/><ref name="ApteraUS">{{cite web |title=Electric Vehicles |url=https://www.aptera.us |access-date=January 4, 2020 |website=Aptera.us |publisher=Aptera Motors Corp.}}</ref> Most American drivers drive less than {{cvt|30|miles}} per day.<ref>{{Cite web|title=National Household Travel Survey Daily Travel Quick Facts | publisher= Bureau of Transportation Statistics| website= bts.gov | url= https://www.bts.gov/statistical-products/surveys/national-household-travel-survey-daily-travel-quick-facts| access-date=2021-12-21}}</ref>

The 2019 design included two or three 50 KW wheel hub motors.<ref name="aptera-ditches-hub-motors" /> Aptera announced in June 2022 a detailed plan to scale in-wheel motor production in Slovenia by Elaphe.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Randall |first=Chris |date=2022-06-23 |title=Aptera orders in-wheel motors from Elaphe |url= https://www.electrive.com/2022/06/23/aptera-orders-in-wheel-motors-from-elaphe/ |magazine=Electrive |location=Berlin |publisher=Rabbit Publishing GmbH |access-date=2023-10-03}}</ref> Due to issues with getting the Aptera in-wheel motor design to production it was replaced in 2024 with a standard front-wheel drive axle design for the production model.<ref name="aptera-ditches-hub-motors" />

Another prototype of the Aptera vehicle was shown in January 2025 at the Consumer Electronics Show. The prototype shown at CES 2025 was "nearly" ready for production.<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.topgear.com/car-news/electric/apteras-self-charging-solar-powered-car-nearly-ready-production |title=Aptera's self-charging, solar-powered car is (nearly) ready for production |first=Vijay |last=Pattni |date=January 7, 2025 |website=Top Gear}}</ref> The carbon-fiber and fiberglass panels of the vehicle were made with production tooling, however the diecast metal suspension arms and the injection-molded interior components were not.<ref name="MotorTrend-40000-dollars">{{citation |url=https://www.motortrend.com/events/aptera-solar-powered-ev-ces-2025/ |title=Aptera Says Its $40,000 Solar-Powered EV Is Finally Coming This Year. Should You Believe It? |first=Eric |last=Tingwall |date=January 17, 2025 |website=Motor Trend}}</ref>

== See also == * Energy-efficient passenger motor vehicles: ** Commuter Cars Tango ** Edison2 Very Light Car ** Twentieth Century Motor Car Corporation

== References == {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Aptera Motors}} * {{official website|https://aptera.us}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Battery electric vehicle manufacturers Category:Electric vehicle manufacturers of the United States Category:Motor vehicle manufacturers based in California Category:Public benefit corporations based in California Category:Manufacturing companies based in San Diego Category:Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 2005 Category:Vehicle manufacturing companies disestablished in 2011 Category:Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 2019 Category:2005 establishments in California Category:2011 disestablishments in California Category:2019 establishments in California