President, Global Policy Institute; Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Bay Atlantic University, both in Washington, DC
Washington, DC – January 9, 2025 – Can you have a three wheel super-efficient electric vehicle, EV, with built in solar panels that produce some of its energy? Can this be the future of EVs? Yes, according to Aptera, a relatively new California based company soon offering a new type of EV: three wheels, lightweight, efficient, dependable, very spacious trunk, and relatively low cost. More on Aptera in a just a bit.
Electric vehicles are still new
These days there is incessant talk about EVs. It is focused primarily on the hundreds of billions of dollars invested or soon to be invested by all global automakers into this sector. All this hype allows casual observers to believe that EVs are old and proven products, based on mature technologies.
Not so. In fact, EVs are rather new; still work in progress. The very first Tesla all electric vehicle, the Roadster, was launched in 2008, practically yesterday. Even though relatively few vehicles were made and sold, (Tesla Motors at the time was a small company), the launch of the Roadster was an inflection point. It proved that EVs would not be just souped up golf carts, as most people thought. They could and would be super-fast, high tech, cars. Nowadays, Tesla EVs are sophisticated computers on wheels, with a powerful electric engine.
There are problems
That said, this is just the beginning. Indeed, while EVs are here to stay, millions of potential buyers are still unconvinced. The main concern is price. Getting lower, but still too high for many middle or low income consumers.
Besides, as of now there are not enough charging stations around the U.S. and also other countries that want to promote EVs. Many of the existing charging stations are often out of service. Range is also an issue. A full electric charge gets you on average about 290 miles, an improvement on earlier models; but not spectacular. And there is more. Because of the huge batteries on board, EVs are very heavy. The shock absorbers do not last very long. And some models are plagued with defects.
While these are real issues, there is no reason for despair. EVs are still work in progress. The technologies are evolving. It is quite possible that smaller, more efficient, and cheaper batteries for EVs will soon be developed. This by itself would be transformative.
Aptera, the innovator
In the meantime, new companies are coming along with different ideas. Consider Aptera, (mentioned above), a new type of EV. As the company describes it, the Aptera EV is “A vehicle that combines the freedom and cost savings of a motorcycle with the safety and convenience of a car. It has driver and passenger airbags, a crumple zone, and a carbon fiber safety cell.”
The novelty here is that Aptera is an aerodynamic, three wheels vehicle built with ultralight materials that reduce overall weight. It can travel up to 400 miles on a single charge. Future models will have a range of 1,000 miles with a single charge.
And the Aptera also has built in solar panels that can power the vehicle for an additional 40 miles. It is a small vehicle; but it is a real, comfortable vehicle, designed for two people, with all the standard amenities consumers expect, including a surprisingly large trunk.
According to Automotive World, “Aptera Motors has taken a monumental step toward reshaping the future of transportation with the debut of its production-ready solar electric vehicle. Transitioning from prototyping to validation vehicles, Aptera’s debut signals its readiness to redefine how we think about mobility and deliver a vehicle that offers unmatched energy efficiency, freedom from conventional charging, and a truly zero-emission driving experience.”
The solar panels
The built in solar panels on the Aptera are interesting. At this time, they are an add on, rather than a key feature. Still, the notion that one can drive up to 40 miles on solar power alone, not relying on the battery, is at least intriguing. If new generations of solar panels, more efficient and more powerful, extend the range to 60 or 80 miles, that would be really something. Of course, you would still need your battery charged and charging stations for longer trips.
However, for millions of people who use their cars mostly for their daily commute to and from work, 60 miles is probably all they drive in a day. And the Aptera will be their solar powered car. We are not there yet, but probably not too far.
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