At CES 2025, Aptera Motors showcased the production-intent version of its highly anticipated solar-powered electric vehicle (EV). The company announced that deliveries of this long-awaited vehicle will begin by the end of this year.
Founded in 2006 by Steve Fambro and Chris Anthony, Aptera has a unique history in the automotive industry. The company’s original concept featured a small gasoline engine, promising an impressive 330 miles per gallon. This early design adhered to a distinctive teardrop shape, which has remained consistent throughout the years.
However, Aptera faced numerous challenges with its last iteration, leading to its collapse in 2011. During this time, the company had to return thousands of customer deposits. After a lengthy hiatus, Aptera relaunched in 2019 with the same founding team, but this time with a new vision: a solar-powered electric car, which is much more fitting for a vehicle of the future than the original gasoline-powered design.
Now, nearly two decades since its founding, Aptera is ready to enter the production phase for its solar-powered EV.
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Solar-Powered Vehicle Takes Center Stage at CES 2025
At CES 2025, Aptera unveiled its production-intent chassis, giving the public a glimpse into the future of solar-powered driving. The vehicle was displayed outdoors in the Central Plaza, in the direct sunlight, aligning with the car’s solar energy-driven purpose. The demonstration highlighted Aptera’s progress toward full production, showcasing a vehicle designed for efficiency, sustainability, and cutting-edge technology.
The company has been making strides in developing the vehicle, including conducting wind tunnel tests on the car, which Aptera claims will be one of the lowest-drag vehicles ever created, with a previously announced drag coefficient (Cd) of .13. In August, Aptera received its carbon bodies, and by October, the first low-speed test drives were completed.
At CES 2025, the vehicle was not only on display but also driven for a short distance around the event. The company reported that the vehicle drove around 20 miles, and by the end of the day, it had more charge than it started with, thanks to its extensive solar panels. Aptera demonstrated its solar-powered capabilities by showing off production-intent solar panels integrated into the vehicle’s hood, dashboard, roof, and hatch.
Solar Charging: The Key Feature
The solar panels on the Aptera EV are a standout feature. Aptera claims that the panels can generate up to 40 miles of driving range per day, powered purely by sunlight. In regions with abundant sun, this means owners could potentially drive over 10,000 miles annually without needing to plug the vehicle into an external power source. On a sunny day in Las Vegas, during the CES unveiling, the solar panels operated efficiently, even though it was one of the shortest days of the year.
Aptera’s co-CEO, Chris Anthony, provided a brief speech during a live-streamed event, offering a walkaround of the vehicle and highlighting key aspects, including the vehicle’s NACS (North American Charging Standard) port, which Aptera was the first to announce it would adopt back in 2022.
Battery Options and Production Timeline
Aptera’s announcement also included a preview of the vehicle’s battery options. While the company had previously promised multiple battery configurations—including 250, 400, and even a bold 1,000-mile option—the focus during the CES 2025 reveal was on the 400-mile, 45kWh battery pack, which will be available in the company’s launch edition vehicle. This version will be priced at $40,000 and will feature limited customization options.
While the 1,000-mile range has been downplayed, the 400-mile option is considered a more realistic offering for the company’s launch. Aptera aims to begin deliveries of its launch edition by the end of 2025, although some industry observers speculate that the timeline may shift.
For consumers who own EVs that are not equipped with solar panels, there is still the option of installing solar panels at home to charge their vehicles. By pairing rooftop solar panels with an EV, owners can reduce their reliance on traditional grid power and harness the sun’s energy for their daily driving needs.
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Crowdfunding Success and Future Plans
Aptera has garnered significant interest for its solar EV, with 50,000 reservations already placed, each requiring a $100 deposit. The company has raised $135 million in equity funding through a crowdfunding campaign, helping to finance its development. In addition to the CES unveiling, Aptera also teased upcoming announcements about the vehicle’s battery pack and future track time for investors.