Solar Car? This Year?
A fully solar powered car by Aptera, located in Carlsbed, California, is scheduled to launch by the end of 2026.
The Promise
"If Aptera delivers on its promise to sell its first vehicle by the end of the year, the $40,000 Launch Edition, the company says it will be the most energy-efficient vehicle on the road, achieving the equivalent of about 340 miles per gallon."
Skeptics say that this upcoming deadline will be pushed back once again by Aptera or they will go under again like they did in 2016. If they are successful, this could change the car industry forever.
The Aesthetic
"When I arrived at Aptera’s factory in Carlsbad, I was greeted by a vision clad in carbon fiber and solar panels. Imagine a marriage between an airplane and a speedboat, if the nuptials were held on Mars."
When I first saw the car after reading the title of this article, I thought about how this is a very specific aesthetic that will probably not appeal to the masses. Why would they choose such a futuristic style, especially after the divided opinions around the Cybertruck?
Maybe it was valuable to them to attract media attention with a unique car design. Or maybe by presenting an unfamiliar car form they expect to reach a wider audience. If nobody can say, "Oh that looks like a Toyota vehicle and I like Toyota's more.", it could make people more open to buying their vehicle.
The Finances
"If Aptera delivers, and more financing follows, the company insists it can scale up quickly. It won’t need to sell a million cars. To be profitable, McCammon argues, Aptera needs to deliver only 6,000 units a year — fewer than the Mazda Miata, the world’s best-selling roadster."
Still I had trouble thinking about why 6,000 people who can afford a 40,000 dollar car choose their vehicle. A vehicle that is not tied to a legacy brand from a company that has never produced. It would be cool to see them succeed but I don't think they will.
