Aptera’s $40,000 Solar EV Might Finally Arrive: Can the Startup Deliver This Time?

The $40,000 Solar-Powered Aptera EV: Is It Finally Happening?

Sixteen years after Aptera’s first vehicle was supposed to roll off production lines, the company is making yet another attempt to bring its futuristic vision to life. The California-based startup has unveiled its reengineered three-wheel solar-powered EV at CES 2025, complete with a production-ready design and bold claims. The vehicle promises impressive efficiency, but Aptera’s track record raises doubts about whether this year’s promise will fare any better than its past failed launches in 2008, 2009, 2012, and 2022.

Revolutionary Efficiency and Design

The Aptera EV boasts an otherworldly design featuring a teardrop-shaped body, three wheels, and space for two passengers. This unique form delivers unmatched aerodynamics, enabling the vehicle to achieve a claimed efficiency of 10 miles per kilowatt-hour (kWh)—double that of today’s most efficient EVs. The $40,000 Launch Edition, powered by a 42-kWh lithium-ion battery using LG cells, offers an estimated range of 400 miles. A 201-horsepower motor drives the front wheels, with future versions planned to include all-wheel drive and options for smaller or larger batteries.

One of Aptera’s standout features is its integrated solar panels, which span the hood, dashboard, roof, and rear hatch. These panels can capture up to 4 kWh of solar energy on a sunny California day—equivalent to 40 miles of range—making the car nearly self-sustaining for short commutes. The EV also supports a 50-kW peak charge rate via its NACS charging port.

Money Matters: The Same Old Roadblock

Despite more than 50,000 reservations and $140 million in crowdfunding from 20,000 investors, Aptera still needs an additional $60 million to make its production dreams come true. At CES, co-CEO Chris Anthony, who co-founded the company, revealed a detailed financial roadmap. The immediate goal is to raise $20 million in the first quarter of 2025 to secure long-lead materials. This initial funding will be part of a larger $60 million effort to finalize development, procure tooling, and complete the assembly plant in Carlsbad, California.

Some key components, including molds for the composite body structure and panels, have already been purchased, but significant expenses remain. These include tooling for diecast suspension arms and injection-molded interior parts.

Testing, Engineering, and Regulations

Four validation prototypes are undergoing testing to refine suspension, tune anti-lock brakes, and complete other engineering tasks. Officially classified as a motorcycle, Aptera bypasses some of the stricter regulations imposed on traditional cars. Still, the vehicle will feature two frontal airbags, and the company plans to release crash test results to prove its safety credentials.

Inside, the cockpit offers 32.5 cubic feet of cargo space, while the production-intent design includes a Tesla-inspired yoke steering wheel and a central touchscreen that doubles as an instrument cluster. Sideview camera displays have been consolidated into a single screen mounted on the steering column.

The Long Road Ahead

While the Aptera EV shows promise, it is still a work in progress. A test ride through Las Vegas highlighted the vehicle’s potential and shortcomings. The lightweight 2,200-pound vehicle delivers brisk acceleration, hitting 60 mph in under six seconds. However, rough patches of road exposed the cabin’s unfinished state, with noisy thuds from impacts.

The company has grand ambitions to scale production rapidly, aiming to build up to 80 vehicles per day and reach an annual production of 20,000 units by late 2025. This effort is being guided by engineering consultant Sandy Munro, an investor in Aptera. The EV’s design emphasizes radical simplicity, with just six structural parts and 12 assembly stations to streamline manufacturing.

Can Aptera Finally Deliver?

The biggest challenge remains securing the $60 million needed to bring the Aptera EV to life. “We’d love a single investor to write us a $60 million check,” said Anthony. “But piecing it together over the next nine months is more likely.”

With a history of missed deadlines and financial hurdles, Aptera’s vision is as inspiring as it is uncertain. For now, it remains to be seen whether the company can overcome its past and finally deliver on its promises.