San Diego, California, USA

Jason Hill and his design team at Aptera have rolled out the new solar-powered coupe— the Aptera Gamma; the culmination of four plus years of hard work to develop the most efficient solar electric vehicle on the planet with an incredible 1,000-mile range and with production set to begin next year.

At Aptera, the goal is to build the vehicle of the future and one that will be affordable and last a lifetime. 

With a starting price of $25,900 before EV incentives for 250 miles of range, Aptera is looking to make it affordable to drive a solar electric vehicle.

The company has, to date, focused on developing a remarkably efficient vehicle; the fact that its design looks genuinely futuristic doesn’t hurt, either.

Aptera has leveraged breakthroughs in lightweight structures, durable and stain-resistant materials, low-drag aerodynamics and cooling, and manufacturing processes to realize such a dramatic promise.

Hill and his design team’s new eye-catching Gamma is designed with the aim to deliver a two-seat three-wheeled solar-electric vehicle that can roll for up to 40 miles (65 km) per day without having to plug in, with the company aiming for a 1,000-mile (1,600 km) of overall per-charge driving thanks to an efficient electric drivetrain, slippery aero design and use of lightweight composite materials.

The new Aptera version shows photovoltaic cells on the roof and trunk, amber strip lights atop the front wheel covers as well as a smiling curve to the headlight and braking strip that extends along the sides, always impressive butterfly doors that open when passenger or driver knock on the side of the vehicle, a generous 25 cu ft of cargo space in the trunk, a netted console to keep stuff in its place, and playful plus/minus symbols on the pedals.

The car’s solar panels are designed to provide “about 40 miles per day of free driving powered by the sun.”

One very exciting and unique feature of the Aptera is how Aptera is engineering and designing the vehicle with solar panels to keep the vehicle charged while stationary or while driving. 

To build a vehicle made to stay on the road longer, Hill and his team chose materials that are durable, sustainable, and easy to clean.

“We strive to be honest with our materials, allowing them to exist in their natural state whenever possible,” states Aptera. 

“The vehicle we’re showing is representative of our Codex interior, displaying durable materials and natural finishes that are animal-friendly and stain-resistant.”

Aptera’s interior was designed to create a user experience that is comfortable within the working environment of our ultra-efficient shape. 

Through ergonomic packaging and efficient use of reach envelopes, Aptera is miraculously spacious. 

In the Gamma phase of development, Hill found ways to optimize cabin interior spaces, increasing head, leg, and hip room, without comprising the efficiency, and building upon the vehicle’s already spacious cargo area.

To create an engaging and intuitive space for users to meet Aptera’s innovation, design decisions were informed by removing burdens in relation to the vehicle’s controls. 

The center display is the main interface for viewing and controlling most of Aptera’s important functions including vehicle controls, media, navigation, and more. 

The center display is also where all aspects of climate control happen. 

Here, users can adjust airflow, temperature, and velocity to their precise liking. 

Designing a comfortable space also meant focusing on personalization. 

The seats in Aptera are fully adjustable, moving forward and backward at an angle so that everyone can find their preferred seating position. 

The seats are also made to be extremely safe, lightweight, and very strong—just like the. vehicle. 

Aptera invested a lot of time solving the equation for greater visibility and security for the driver of an ultra-efficient vehicle. 

Gamma is equipped with its unique vision system and steering wheel. 

In Aptera, drivers benefit from digital cameras instead of a mirror for direct rear vision, and the use of side-view cameras assisting our analog exterior mirrors for the left and right-side viewing. 

The screen in front of the steering wheel displays the side view images.

The team at Aptera is already on the move, preparing its Delta testing phase, which will be shared in more detail over the next few months, which will be the production-intent design before the solar EVs start being assembled here in Southern California. 

When the Aptera goes into full production, it will be one of the most efficient and longest-range EVs we have on the market today, with Aptera looking for up to 1,000 miles of EV range with its largest battery pack.

Aptera currently has over 32,000 reservations for its flagship SEV, tallying over 10,000 new reservations since May.

Project: Aptera Gamma Solar Electric Vehicle (SEV)
Designers: Aptera Motors Corp. 
Lead Designer: Jason Hill
Manufacturer: Aptera Motors Corp.