Aptera completes low-speed drive in its first production-intent solar electric vehicle

Something I find incredibly weird about US company culture is how they talk about overtime like it's a good thing.

"Our employees worked weekends, days and nights to make this happen! We wouldn't have succeeded without people who are willing to give up their personal lives!"

I hope they not only succeed but get shares. Doing weekends or nights for a company you don't (partially) own feels like a con.

There's something that people really fail to grasp with solar, and that's the fact there is bugger all energy in the sun, and you need a huge surface area to get any meaningful energy.

A home solar array often takes up a significant chunk of the roof area, and the amount of surface area a car typically has means that even perfectly efficient solar panels wouldn't collect enough energy to significantly contribute to the vehicle's range.

There's a good reason why vehicle manufacturers don't bother adding them.

Been following this company’s development for over a decade now. I really want them to succeed but I have major doubts.

It's good to see that Aptera is still a possibility!

I want them to succeed. I really hope they do.

It’s also a bit strange to see a production-intent build of a solar electric vehicle without any solar panels. Still, Aptera shared that technology will be implemented next alongside the SEV’s production-intent thermal management system and exterior surfaces.

This thing is pure vaporware. My new Leaf isn't.

A few things the cynics are missing.

1. The engineers who are designing this car don't have the political power to push for better mass transit.
2. Even in ideal circumstances, there will still be a need for personal transport vehicles and infrastructure. Small cars will still be needed.
3. Aptera has 31 employees as of 2023. If they're working overtime, it's because they're letting the company do it. Maintaining good moral is way more important in small companies.

I'm excited to see them succeed. I love it when stuff is designed with function over form, and made practically. I'm a tall person, this is the only small electric vehicle I feel I could actually fit in

Bummer. I want to give them my money, but they're not accepting new investments right now.

Please just do trains. They can even be solar powered - a lot easier than this.

Lots of people here criticizing Aptera who clearly haven't researched the company or the tech.

The future of transportation everybody: a car.

A solar powered car that topped at 70mph would be ideal,

But goddamn, could you imagine just having one that topped at 30 MPh in a city? Infinite travel!

Good, now keep the momentum up, Aptera. You're so close to the reality.

The Aptera has been promised for over a decade now. I'm somehow amazed they are still trying.

_

Just make sure you are under 100 lbs and have no baggage.