Aptera completes function test for first production-intent sEV

On Oct. 30, Aptera Motors (Carlsbad, Calif., U.S.) achieved a successful drive of its first production-intent body in carbon (BinC) solar electric vehicle (sEV), which will be used for real-world validation and testing. The vehicle, the first in a series, has been engineered to rigorously test Aptera’s production-intent design, production components and critical performance metrics such as range, solar charging capability and efficiency. 

The technology incorporates Aptera’s recently adopted Vitesco Technologies EMR3 drivetrain, the in-board motor solution announced earlier this year. This initial test drive has also validated Aptera’s proprietary battery pack, which is now functioning with the EMR3 powertrain. For the first time, Aptera’s production composite body structure, also known as its BinC, is spinning its production drivetrain under code developed in-house with battery pack power. 

“Driving our first production-intent vehicle marks an important moment in Aptera’s journey,” says Steve Fambro, Aptera’s co-founder and co-CEO. “It demonstrates real progress toward delivering a vehicle that redefines efficiency, sustainability and energy independence.” 

Aptera’s production-intent models will continue to evolve, with additional production parts and functionality integrated and tested over time. As each feature is validated, Aptera says it will continue to test the vehicle’s systems in progressively challenging and high-speed settings, paving the way for a fully tested, validated production vehicle ready for deliveries to the company’s nearly 50,000 preorder reservation holders. 

The next phase of testing will see the integration of Aptera’s solar technology, production-intent thermal management system and exterior surfaces. Once installed, Aptera’s production-intent vehicle will undergo high-speed track testing to validate its general performance characteristics and confirm core efficiency figures, including watt-hours per mile, solar charging rates and estimated battery range. 

Follow Aptera’s progress on YouTube.