A US startup, Apetera has developed a solar and electric vehicle that “requires no charging”.
The Paradigm solar electric vehicle, or SEV as Aptera called it, is comprised of an integrate solar package and promises a range of 1,000 miles on a single charge with this super advanced solar panels onboard. The 180 panels supposedly suck up enough energy to drive 45 miles per day, ‘making it the first vehicle that won’t need to fuel up for most daily driving.’
Aptera’s Never Charge technology is powered by the sun. Our built-in solar array keeps the solar panels full and wherever the car decides to go, it just goes.
co-founder Chris Anthony
The vehicle is also equipped with a battery pack that provides this 1,000 miles of range, which greatly surpasses the Tesla Model S’s 370 miles of range.
Aptera said in its announcement it also believes it cracked the manufacturing code to build its SEV in a cost-efficient way. The entire car is, according to the company, made up of just four major pieces.
To maximize its efficiency, the futuristic-styled structure is designed with lightweight materials that are stronger than steel, providing low-drag aerodynamics and cooling.
Aptera thinks its technology, although light on details, will be the game changing tech for a breakthrough in efficiency it promised since 2005 at the company’s founding. The solar energy drives electric motors that will take the car to 110 mph. No power ratings are available yet, though Aptera said the car will be ultra slippery with a drag coefficient of 0.13.
Inside, it can be personalized with safety accessories to transport pets or other items. In addition, it has integrated settings in the user interface to inform drivers in real time on ways to save energy and extend the range of the vehicle.
The vehicle is available in four different battery capacities: 100 kWh, 60 kWh, 40 kWh or 25 kWh. All have a solar panel array of about three square meters. There are two versions of the Aptera available: Paradigm and Paradigm +. Its cost ranges from 25,900 to 46,000 dollars.
The company recently opened pre-orders for its solar electric vehicle and within less than 24 hours, according to the firm, the $26,000 car sold out. They plan to deliver the first units in 2021, but it can be reserved with a “down payment” of just $100.
