Automotive startup Aptera Motors announced that it conducted tests on its first production-intent validation solar electric vehicle in the Mojave Desert to evaluate its aerodynamics and energy efficiency. The development marks a significant milestone for the company, which has about 50,000 pre-order reservation holders.
One of the tests involved coastdown, which measured the sEV’s powertrain, rolling and aerodynamic losses. According to Aptera, the vehicle took more than three minutes to decelerate from 60 miles per hour to a full stop while traveling uphill. Co-CEO Steve Fambro commented that this period exceeded the measuring equipment’s capabilities.
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A separate aerodynamic tuft test placed tufts to key areas like the vehicle gaps and wheel fairings to verify that real-world airflow aligned with the company’s computer simulations.
Aptera then monitored energy consumption during an extended highway drive cycle test that covered hundreds of miles. The results indicated that the company is on pace to achieve its target of approximately 100 watt-hours per mile.
Fambro also revealed that Aptera is developing another validation sEV that aims to refine fit and flush around the vehicle’s gaps and incorporate a design-intent weight profile with optimized parts. The company plans to run a full range test that drives the vehicle’s battery to 0% and measures its real-world solar charging capabilities.
Aptera debuted the sEV at CES 2025. According to the company, the vehicle’s capabilities include up to 400 miles of range from one charge in under an hour, up to 40 miles of free driving per day powered by sunlight and more than 10,000 miles of solar-powered driving in sunny climates annually.
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Automotive startup Aera Motors announced that
it conducted tests on its first production
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intent validation solar electric vehicle in the
Mojave Desert to evaluate its aerodynamics and
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energy efficiency.
The development marks a significant milestone
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for the company, which has about 50,000
pre-order reservation holders.
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One of the tests involved Coast Town, which
measures the SEV's powertrain,
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rolling and aerodynamic losses.
According to Aterra,
00:23.229 --> 00:27.399
the vehicle took more than 3 minutes to
decelerate from 60 MPH to a full.
00:27.552 --> 00:31.763
Stop while traveling uphill.
Co-CEO Steve Fambro commented that this period
00:31.763 --> 00:33.893
exceeded the measuring equipment's capabilities.
00:34.143 --> 00:38.662
A separate aerodynamic tough test placed Tufts
to key areas like the vehicle gaps and wheel
00:38.662 --> 00:43.013
fairings to verify the real world air flow
aligned with the company's computer simulations.
00:43.182 --> 00:47.862
Apter then monitored energy consumption during
an extended highway drive cycle test that
00:47.862 --> 00:50.862
covered hundreds of miles.
The results indicated that the company is on
00:50.862 --> 00:54.342
pace to achieve its target of approximately 100
watt hours per mile.
00:54.542 --> 00:56.925
Farmbro.
revealed that Apterra is developing another
00:56.925 --> 01:01.616
validation SEV that aims to refine fit and
flush around the vehicle's gaps and incorporate
01:01.616 --> 01:04.236
a design intent weight profile with optimized
parts.
01:04.365 --> 01:09.045
The company plans to run a full range test that
drives the vehicle's battery to 0% and measures
01:09.045 --> 01:11.066
its real world solar charging capabilities.
01:11.286 --> 01:14.136
Apterra debuted the SUV at CES 2025.
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According to the company, the vehicle's
capabilities include up to 400 miles of range
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from one charge in under an hour, up to 40
miles of free driving per day powered by
01:21.966 --> 01:25.110
sunlight.
And more than 10,000 miles of solar powered
01:25.110 --> 01:26.839
driving in sunny climates annually.
01:27.120 --> 01:29.089
I'm Nolan Bastein.
This is manufacturing now.
