US based electric vehicles manufacturer Aptera Motors has launched what it calls as the '1st' solar electric vehicle (EV) powered solely by solar PV technology thanks to 180 efficient solar cells integrated into the vehicle's body structure. It claims this 'Never Charge' technology allows the vehicle to run up to 1,000 miles per full charge.
It explains that integrated solar can be configured to provide up to 45 miles of range per day with over 3 sq. mtr. and 180 efficient solar cells added. "With Aptera's Never Charge technology, you are driven by the power of the sun. Our built-in solar array keeps your battery pack topped off and anywhere you want to go, you just go," said Aptera's Co-Founder Chris Anthony. "Never Charge is built into every Aptera and is designed to harvest enough sunlight to travel over 11,000 miles per year in most regions."
The futuristic looking car has 3 wheels and its body is made of lightweight structures that makes it 'many times stronger than steel, allowing its unique body shape to slip through the air with an unheard-of drag coefficient (Cd) of .13'. Its liquid cooled electric motors allows the vehicle to zip from 0-60 in as fast as 3.5 seconds with a top speed of 110 mph.
The company is allowing customers to design and customize their own Aptera and choose a range of 250, 400, 600 or 1,000 miles. Available in 2 special editions of Paradigm and Paradigm+ it is priced between $25,900 to $46,900+.
Back in Europe, Germany's Sono Motors is also working on a solar powered vehicle called Sion with integrated IBC solar cell technology ZEBRA to be provided by Finland based Valoe Oyj (see European Solar Car To Use Finnish Solar Panels).