This is Aptera, an electric commuter car that runs itself on solar, and it’s set to start at just $25,900.
The car is also designed with the lowest drag coefficient thanks to its design and lightweight. And yes, there are solar panels built right onto the vehicle. So you just drive it and leave it out in the sun to recharge. Would you ever consider a solar electric car option like the Aptera?
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It’s a Self-Powered, Solar Electric Vehicle (SEV)
Images via Aptera
Normally, solar panels on electric vehicles don’t make sense because most electric cars are so heavy that the solar doesn’t do much.
Images via Aptera
But in this case, the car is so lightweight and its drag coefficient is so low, that it does make sense to use solar panels for self-recharging.
Images via Aptera
In other words, the car is so efficient, that it doesn’t take much energy to get it going as well as to keep it going. Therefore, built-in solar charging makes sense for it. And it can charge up to 40 miles of range per day from the sun, which covers most people’s daily needs.
Images via Aptera
And some models can have batteries with the ability for up to 1,000 miles of range!
Images via Aptera
It’s set to release within the next few years and will start at just $25,900, and it will also be eligible for EV tax credits, taking the price further down.
Images via Aptera
Would you ever consider a solar electric vehicle like the Aptera?
Images via Aptera
There’s a camping add-on and various other features to pick from.
Images via Aptera
Images via Aptera
Images via Aptera
Images via Aptera
Highlights
- Aptera
- Solar Electric Vehicle (SEV)
- Lowest drag coefficient car
- Built-in solar panels
- Options for up to 1,000 miles of range
- Options for up to 40 miles of solar charge daily
- Option for camping mode with a tent
- Efficient in-wheel motors
- Aerodynamic and apparently very safe, eggshell design
- Starts at only $26,900
Would you ever consider this vehicle for yourself?
VIDEO: Aptera SEV on Faircompanies
Learn more
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Alex
Alex is a contributor and editor for TinyHouseTalk.com and the always free Tiny House Newsletter. He has a passion for exploring and sharing tiny homes (from yurts and RVs to tiny cabins and cottages) and inspiring simple living stories. We invite you to send in your story and tiny home photos too so we can re-share and inspire others towards a simple life too. Thank you!
I keep hoping Mr. Kim quits listening to the Detroit supplied Engineer types and builds his in-wheel- motors C-1 Bike or two-wheel car at Lit Motors for commuters as well…Pipe Dream same as APTERA…..
The Aptera is no pipe dream. It’ll be available next yr and a great buy that will hold it’s value as a collector car and as an EV. It get about 330mpge though solar range/day is only 10-15 miles. But a fair number, that handles their needs.
The 400 mile range one is worth it mostly as resale value but forget the 600 and 1k mile range as not going to happen as throws the CG way off, something one doesn’t do in a 3wheeler.
You haven’t read much about the battery configuration, have you.
WOW! Almost word for word from my post in 2011 about LIT Motors C-1…
Aptera is much farther along than the LIT-1 ever was.
Which is too bad as get rid of the silly gyro, put in a couple of outriggers to hold it up stopped and would have been a great EV MC streamliner we could use.
Why I suggested it in 2011 to Mr. Kim. The package has been needed forever, let it be a rolling test platform and get a few million of them on the roads I said and tweak them as ALL other successful companies do…But no, he had to have every doodad and gimmick imaginable…Just the side wheels addition and he would have been covered in money and fame…..The sad part, It is STILL a great concept…
What a delightful surprise to see this post on a site for tiny houses! I’m not sure how easy it is to get in and out of because I am no spring chicken so that would matter but I have to say that this sounds very intriguing! I like the look of it and was happy to see that the back area is plenty big enough for luggage or for a Costco run! hahaha And the possibility of it going 1,000 miles? Wow! Though my needs are not that great, I might reconsider where I could take an electric vehicle if it had that kind of distance possibilities. So happy to see advances in this field. I love that you provide this platform to not only share new ideas with us but you provide a way for us to share with you, too. I have to say, though, I do not understand when people make unnecessarily snarky comments. Can’t we just have a conversation about the pros and cons about something without rancor? Sharing pertinent information is always a good thing but best served politely.
I want one! Space for two people and some groceries or beach gear—perfect for a Southern California couple. I hope they come on the market soon and that they keep the price relatively low. I’d love to charge my car just by parking it on the street. I hope they make them hard to steal. I agree with Donna Rae above: it looks a bit awkward to get in and out of. But I can’t wait to give it a try.