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You are probably familiar with at least one iteration of Aptera Motors Corp. at this point. The mobility startup is based in San Diego, California, and specializes in solar electric vehicles (SEVs). After an attempt to bring its Aptera 2 Series to the masses in the mid-2000s, the company inevitably folded.

However, after a successful crowd-funding campaign a decade later, Aptera Motors’ original co-founders Steve Fambro and Chris Anthony are taking another crack at it, with hopes of delivering one of the world’s most efficient EVs. In fact, Aptera has raised $28 million to date from the crowd and private investors during its Regulation A+ round.

The revamped Aptera SEV has been a vehicle we have reported on consistently over the years as its creators work to bring it to scalable life. Most recently, Aptera shared Luna, the silver exterior coat of its Aptera vehicle. It now joins the Noir (black) and Sol (white) Apteras as the third and final alpha version of the SEV.

Aptera has now entered beta phase of development, before planning to enter production in Southern California in 2022.

The Aptera’s are currently available to reserve through its website for $100 down. You use this link for $30 off your reservation as well.

Aptera to sell its solar EVs in the UAE, beginning with 53 exclusive ‘Union Editions’ with ‘Solar Chill’

Aptera UAE

Just weeks after announcing plans to showcase its solar EV technology to the public in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), startup Aptera Motors is taking things a step further. The company recently shared intentions to begin selling its nascent vehicles in the UAE, kicking off the new market entry with 53 production builds of an exclusive “Union Edition” model for early adopters in the Middle East.

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Aptera to showcase solar EV tech in the UAE as it preps its first production-intent builds [Video]

Aptera production-intent

Aptera Motors has just delivered its first solar EV to a customer. April fools! Yes, it is now April, which means we get another video update from Aptera. This month’s progress update recaps a recent visit to France, details an upcoming trip to the United Arab Emirates, and talks about the status of Aptera’s first production-intent solar EV builds. Watch the video in full below.

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Aptera’s latest update teases its solar EV app, battery tech, and delivery timelines [Video]

Aptera update

Solar EV startup Aptera Motors continued its welcomed level of public transparency today, posting another progress update video for February, offering some juicy details. Aptera co-founder Steve Fambro walks you through the first glimpse at the upcoming Aptera app, which promises several cool features; plus, we get a look at some Solar EV battery packs and some hints at how safe the production vehicle will be. You can learn more in the full video below.

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Aptera sells all 2,000 production slots of its Launch Edition solar EV, raising nearly $34 million

Aptera production

We are just over one year removed from the initial launch of solar EV startup Aptera’s Accelerator program, which was implemented to not only get customers to commit to their SEV purchase fully but also help give the company some financial runway as it inches toward scaled production. It may have taken longer than anticipated, but the program succeeded, raising nearly $34 million.

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Chery Automotive claims its new concept EV inspired by tuna fish is world’s most aerodynamic car

Yes, you read that right. An EV inspired by the sleek, hydrodynamic maneuvering of the tuna fish. What a time to be alive. Chinese automotive brand Chery has unveiled a new concept it claims to be the world’s most aerodynamic car, designed using AI simulation. Do you see the similarities to a Bluefin? Have a look for yourself.

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Aptera shares a juicy progress update toward reaching scaled solar EV production [Video]

Resilient startup Aptera is back with a robust progress update after a busy summer promoting its upcoming solar EV by the same name, ahead of planned production next year. The company has posted not one, but two videos updating its fanbase about its progress, which appears to be coming along quite nicely. Could it be the first to successfully reach scaled solar EV production?

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Aptera anticipates lowest drag coefficient of any car ever in wind tunnel testing

aptera wind tunnel action shot

Aptera’s “Gamma” prototype of its solar-powered, three-wheeled electric car is overseas right now, doing aerodynamic testing at Pininfarina’s wind tunnel near Turin, Italy, in the shadow of the Italian Alps.

The company is confident that when results come in, the Aptera will have the lowest aerodynamic drag coefficient of any production passenger car.

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Aptera suddenly pauses Accelerator program at request of SEC, only two days left to invest

Aptera invest

Nearly six months into its Accelerator crowdfunding program, solar EV startup Aptera is putting a pause on new investments while it files requested paperwork with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). As a result, many of the loyal believers that make up the Aptera community and have helped get the company this far will no longer be able to invest unless they meet certain criteria.

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Solar powered cars: A 70 year-old idea that has yet to reach its full potential

Solar car

Nearly 70 years ago, the idea of a viable solar car concept was introduced to the world in Chicago, Illinois. While these vehicles started small (literally), they have progressed alongside the sustainable technology segment to a point where scalable solar electric vehicles are closer than ever, but there’s still plenty of room for innovation.

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Aptera offers solar EV production update: Tooling progresses, but more funding needed [Video]

In true Aptera fashion, its cofounders shared a video update outlining the company’s progress in bringing a solar EV into scaled production. The webinar which debuted live this morning can be viewed in full below and offers a slew of news surrounding grants, funding, tooling overseas, and solar development. Here’s the latest.

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Aptera secures first fleet order for 101 solar EVs with intentions for 100,000 more in the future

Aptera fleet

Solar electric vehicle start-up Aptera Motors has announced its first fleet order from SustainabilitySooner, Inc. The initial pre-order is for 101 of Aptera’s 400-mile range solar EVs and is expected to deliver millions in future revenue. However, what may be more exciting is the prospect of future fleet orders as SustainabilitySooner looks to eventually operate a fleet of over 100,000 SEVs.

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Aptera extends Accelerator program, 1,400 slots for Launch Edition builds remain open

One day after announcing the official award of a $21 million grant in California, Aptera Motors looks to garner additional funds from its Accelerator investment program in exchange for access to the first 2,000 commemorative builds of its Launch Edition solar EVs. There is still plenty of room to invest and snag one of the first 2,000 Apteras built.

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Aptera awarded $21M grant from California Energy Commission to help bring solar EVs to production

Aptera Production

Solar electric vehicle startup Aptera Motors shared encouraging news today as it has been awarded a grant from the California Energy Commission (CEC) to the tune of $21 million. The grant comes as welcomed news for Aptera as it looks to reach scaled production of its namesake solar EV as one of the few startups left trying to successfully scale the sustainable technology for the masses.

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Aptera’s clever new community funding program prioritizes your SEV delivery the more you invest

Aptera funding

One week after sharing details of its Launch Edition Solar EV, Aptera Motors has announced a community funding program called Accelerate Aptera, hoping to raise between $20 and $50 million. By investing a predetermined minimum, reservation holders have a better chance at receiving delivery of one of the 2,000 Launch Edition Apteras planned. Better still, the person who invests the most on the leaderboard (yes, there’s a leaderboard) locks in delivery slot #1.

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The future of solar EVs dims: Lightyear is bankrupt, Sion fights for its life, Aptera on the brink

Solar EV

It’s been a real tough month for the few but extremely innovative solar EV companies out here. Having just announced a shifting of its business strategy and a request to suspend all payments to its operating company, Lightyear has officially declared bankruptcy. Sono Motors’ flagship solar EV, the Sion, is staring down a similar barrel, as the startup fights to raise more funds to keep it alive. Meanwhile, Aptera has a production-intent design, but still needs millions of dollars to get it to production.

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Aptera takes customer feedback to heart, quickly makes DC fast charging standard on all solar EVs

Aptera DC charging

Just a few days after sharing specifications of its Launch Edition solar EV, Aptera Motors has backtracked on a previous comment stating that its upcoming vehicles will not come with DC fast charging capabilities. Aptera has now let its community of loyal fans know it hears them, vowing to equip all its solar EVs, including the aforementioned Launch Edition, with the capability to charge on Tesla’s supercharger network.

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Aptera debuts Launch Edition solar EV, but start of production will take some time… and money

Aptera EV

Aptera Motors has inched closer than ever to customer deliveries of its flagship solar EV donning the company name. During a webinar presentation earlier today, the California-based startup unveiled new details its Launch Edition solar EV – a unified configuration that includes all-wheel drive and 400 miles of range, but Aptera still has a few financial and infrastructural hurdles to overcome before it can start delivering these solar EVs to the masses. More below.

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