Image Credit: Aptera.
Have I got a story for you today... It's about a car that promises to run on sunshine, a car that looks like it came from a galaxy far, far away, and a company that's been on a financial rollercoaster wilder than a stag do in Vegas.
What am I talking about? Aptera, of course. The three-wheeled, solar-powered wonder that's been promising us its imminent arrival for what feels like forever. And just when we thought it might be another beautiful dream destined to fade, they've pulled a rabbit out of their hat – a very large, $75 million rabbit.
Image Credit: Aptera.
Aptera has always intrigued me. It's just so wonderfully different. It's not trying to be a normal car. It's a statement, a glorious, three-wheeled middle finger to the establishment of boring EVs. And I can't help but love it. And the latest news from the sunshine-filled dreamland is that Aptera has secured access to a cool $75 million.
That's a lot of dough, enough to make you think they might actually start building these things. They're saying this cash injection is for "production readiness," which means buying the big, expensive machines that turn raw materials into car parts. It's an important step, and it's the kind of news that gets people like me excited, if a little cautiously. Cautiously because Aptera has had a few false starts over the years, and their financial situation has been more dramatic than La Piloto that my wife is addicted to.
Image Credit: Aptera.
Here's the slightly less exciting part. Aptera is going public, but not in the usual way. It is going for a "direct listing," which is a bit like showing up to a potluck without bringing a dish. It's a way for existing shareholders – many of whom are regular folks who believed in the dream and invested through crowdfunding – to sell their shares. It doesn't actually put any money into the company's pocket.
And, to add a little spice to the mix, the company insiders, the head honchos, don't have a "lockup period." That means they can sell their shares right away. So, on one hand, it's good that Aptera gets a lifeline, but on the other - it almost feels like they're ready to ditch the boat at a moment's notice.
Image Credit: Aptera.
But let's not get bogged down in the boring financial stuff. Let's look at the car itself. It's 172 inches long, 88 inches wide, and 57 inches tall. It's a sleek, aerodynamic teardrop on three wheels. There are two at the front, and one at the back. It's a very efficient design that helps the Aptera achieve a drag coefficient that would make a bobsled jealous. The whole thing weighs between 1,800 and 2,200 pounds, which is about the same as a feather in the automotive world.
What about performance? The all-wheel-drive version will do 0-60 mph in less than 4 seconds. That's supercar territory. The "slower" front-wheel-drive model is no slouch either, hitting 60 mph in under 6 seconds. The top speed is a more-than-adequate 110 mph for both versions. This is not a glorified golf cart as some would think - it's actually a proper performance machine.
Image Credit: Aptera.
But the thing that makes the Aptera so special is the solar panels. They cover the roof, the hood, and the rear hatch, and they can add up to 40 miles of range per day, just from sitting in the sun. Think about that for a moment. For most people's daily commute, that means you might never have to plug this car in. As long as you live in the South… But it's just a detail, right? The dream of a truly self-charging car is finally within reach. A self-charging EV that actually works...
Of course, you can also plug it in. The Aptera will come with a variety of battery options, from a 25 kWh pack that gives you a 250-mile range, all the way up to a massive 100 kWh battery that will take you a staggering 1,000 miles on a single charge. You could actually drive this thing from New York to Chicago and still have enough juice to go scouting for a deep-dish pizza.
Image Credit: Aptera.
Inside, it's a cozy affair. There's room for two adults and a pet. So you can bring your furry co-pilot along for the ride. The cargo space is a surprisingly generous 25 cubic feet, which is more than you get in a lot of so-called "practical" cars. The dashboard is a minimalist's dream, with a large touchscreen in the center and a smaller display for the driver. It's all very futuristic and very cool.
What's the catch then? Well, the price, for starters. The base model, with the 250-mile range, is expected to start at around $28,000. That's not too bad. But the 400-mile "Launch Edition" will set you back $40,000.
Image Credit: Aptera.
But if you want the full 1,000-mile experience, all the extras including off-road kit and Openpilot - you'll be looking at a price tag with $61,700 written on it. That's a lot of money for a two-seater, three-wheeled car that looks like it belongs on the set of "Blade Runner."
But here's the thing. The Aptera is not meant for everyone. It's a creation for the early adopters who want to drive something different. It's a guaranteed conversation starter, wherever it goes. And thanks to that freshly printed cash, some of us might actually be able to buy it one day. I'm still skeptical, just a little. But I'm more hopeful than I ever was that the Aptera will finally make it to the road.
