Spoiler alert: The low-speed performance test is short and sweet but epic nonetheless. Solar EV startup Aptera Motors has finally given the public a look at its production-oriented “PI-2” vehicle, which will now be used for real-world validation and testing on its way to production… hopefully.
Aptera's latest milestone is a welcome one for the startup's fans, many of whom are investors who have contributed to its success in trying to bring bonafide solar EVs to the masses.
The company has been (literally and figuratively) gearing up for production targets for months, and the first “PI” car went live last April when Aptera affiliate CPC Group shipped the first body from Italy.
While the program's founders and co-CEOs were working to raise additional funds to reach high-end vehicle production, the Aptera team was hard at work assembling production-ready structures to be used for testing and validation.
“PI-2,” the first Aptera vehicle to assemble its production components, began physical assembly in late August after the launch received shipments of bodies in carbon (BinCs). Meanwhile, three BinCs were safely delivered to Aptera's headquarters in Carlsbad to support the production mission of builds 2, 3, and 4.
The PI-2 is the first to roll out of the shop in Southern California and has just completed its first low-speed validation test, which you can watch in the video below.
PI2 inches car Aptera next to SEV production
As it does every month, Aptera shares its latest progress update, and it's one of the most exciting we've seen in a while. The PI-2 was successfully assembled and piloted near the Aptera building at low speed with its design team watching.
They might look a little ugly on the outside, but the interior performance should be the right focus when it comes to Aptera's first production-oriented car. Cosmetic items will come later. According to Aptera:
This landmark vehicle features the recently adopted Vitesco Technologies EMR3 drivetrain for Aptera, an on-board motor solution announced earlier this year. This first test drive confirmed Aptera's proprietary battery pack, which now works with the EMR3 powertrain—an important combination that is now being tested together in real-world conditions. For the first time, Aptera's integrated body design, also known as its Body in Carbon or BinC, revolves around its production drivetrain under code developed in-house with power from a proprietary battery pack, a testament to the company's engineering prowess and innovative manufacturing. come closer.
It's also amazing to see a purpose-built solar electric car with no solar panels. However, Aptera shared that the technology will next be used around the SEV's thermal management system and exterior surfaces.
Once completed, the PI-2 will be tested on a high-speed track to verify its standard operating characteristics and best-in-class performance statistics, including watt-hours per mile, solar charge rates, and battery range. Those are some details we wish to learn more about.
As we've mentioned in the past, Aptera still has a long road ahead of it before it reaches mass production and delivers solar electric vehicles to its nearly 50,000 current owners. It still needs a lot of funding to get there, in addition to the $60 million we're currently trying with the help of US Capital Global.
Right here and now, however, Aptera's development process is still well underway, and its latest milestone should not be overlooked. We love to see physical evidence of its progress and look forward to the use of solar technology to capture what these unique, sustainable vehicles can really do.
You can view the full October update on Aptera, which includes test photos of the production-oriented vehicle below:
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