Aptera - efficiency and range

[ApterAmore]

Aptera's primary focus is on maximising efficiency:

• Its shape is extremely aerodynamic and this shape has been achieved thanks to the latest advances in computer modelling. Many body parts or shapes have been designed using so-called generative design, a field that was almost non-existent a decade ago. Generative design helps design shapes to have the highest strength and lowest aerodynamic drag using the least amount of material. This field is particularly used in aeronautics, where it has already been successfully applied, for example by Airbus.
• Furthermore, Aptera aims to keep the weight of the vehicle as low as possible at less than 1,000 kg, thanks to innovative materials and an overall structure that is composed of only six main composite parts. The composite body will not rust and guarantees a very long service life and strength.
• The drive is located directly in the wheels of the vehicle, which further increases efficiency as there is no need for a gearbox or additional parts.

Thanks to the combination of these features, the Aptera has a completely unsurpassed consumption of 100 Wh/mile (= 62.5 Wh/km), and this is in addition to the highest model with the heaviest battery. In the lower versions, this consumption will be even lower due to the lower weight. The figures are for an EPA test cycle in which, for example, the second most efficient electric car today, the Tesla Model 3, has a consumption of 239 Wh/mile (= 149 Wh/km). That's almost 2.5 times more than the Aptera's.

The attached figure shows the fuel consumption of the current EVs that are on the market:

It's fair to mention the Lightyear One, which is also the only other vehicle that attempts to be as efficient as possible while using solar power, and which will be on the market soon. The Lightyear One's consumption is 174 Wh/mile (= 109 Wh/km), which is a little close to the Aptera's values, but still the Aptera's consumption is 1.7x better than the Lightyear One and it also has, for example, significantly better acceleration. Moreover, the Lightyear One costs several times more money and, in my opinion, looks are also important - the Aptera is just out of this world and that's why many people love it🙂

The benefits of such low power consumption are mainly:

• No need for such a large battery for a given range, so the overall price is significantly reduced
• No need for expensive charging infrastructure, just a normal 50 kW charger to recharge a very decent range (800 km per hour, 400 km per half)
• Charging the vehicle from a domestic 220V socket makes much more sense - even an ordinary 3.3 kW charger will charge about 50km per hour, i.e. overnight more than enough for the next day
• With such low consumption, solar cells on the body make much more sense than on other electric cars
• Low weight and recuperation reduce wear and tear on brakes, tyres and roads, so that's another reduced service and repair cost

There are many benefits to be found, but I'd be interested in your opinion on this?