An American startup Aptera unveiled its Noir Solar Electric Vehicle (sEV) last year in December, in all-black – a truly revolutionary vehicle if all goes well and it reaches mass production. The three-wheeled solar-powered EV now comes in a pearly white color.
In a 1-minute video on the company’s YouTube channel, Aptera’s co-CEO Chris Anthony pointed out a few updates that Aptera’s sEVs would see in their beta prototype stage, as well as giving a sneak peek at the flashy white Sol version.
Early this month, Aptera’s team driver, Natalie Fenaroli, took it for a sun-soaked jaunt down Coast Highway 101 from Cardiff to La Jolla, in California, offering a rare sighting for Aptera fans to catch a glimpse of the second completed Alpha in its growing fleet of Solar Electric Vehicles (sEVs).
The Sol has a pearl white bodywork: the same as the very first cars that Aptera presented before failing the first marketing attempt. But the Sol is also the first Aptera to have exclusively front-wheel drive: of the two announced powertrains (there will also be three-wheel drive), which boasts the best efficiency.
Aptera’s solar electric vehicle (sEV) requires no charging for most daily use and boasts a range of up to 1,000 miles (1,609 km) per full charge. The vehicle offers room for two passengers and luggage and comes with minimal running and maintenance costs. It also offers the ability to add upgrades and improvements later on. Aptera leverages breakthroughs in lightweight structures, low-drag aerodynamics and cooling, material science, and manufacturing processes to deliver the most efficient vehicle ever made available to consumers.
The names of the prototypes presented to date are identical to the colors of future production models. Noir was the black Aptera shown up to now, and Sol is this one that has pearly white bodywork. The next one will be the prototype Luna, which will have silver bodywork.
According to what Anthony said, the beta prototypes will present numerous improvements. There will be more space inside the passenger compartment and better aerodynamics. In an upcoming webinar later this month, the company will offer more details on Sol and allow reservation holders the chance to ask questions. The full-scale production will start in the summer of 2022, with deliveries going out later that year.
