US Startup, Aptera Is The Future of EV

Jamie Trower

American start-up car company, Aptera, is planning on launching their latest electric vehicle to the market this year, but with a twist. An ultra-efficient, three-wheeled electric vehicle powered by solar panels.

Steve Fambro and Chris Anthony founded the start-up in 2006 and offered the futuristic idea to be funded. Google offered them a few million through its philanthropic arm to develop the idea further, so did Silicon Valley’s Idealab. After a long journey the vehicle is looking close to being a reality.

The sleek, aerodynamic three-wheel design—with a battery that only uses 100-watts by the hour generated completely by the sun, shows its incredible range. Designed as a two-seater, with limited cargo room, the car can zip along a road at break-neck speed. That’s thanks to three square-metres of 180 efficient solar cells. Those cells will give 0-100km in as fast as 3.5 seconds with a top-speed of 175km/h.

Seating two (plus maybe your dog) and featuring a 15-inch touchscreen, the Aptera is expected to begin delivery soon, with pricing starting between AUD$35,000 and $62,000, depending on range and options.