Ilaria Rosella Pagliaro With the new Aptera P12, the electric car market takes a step forward: autonomous solar charging, optimized aerodynamics and autonomy of up to 1,600 km
©Aptera
Each automobile manufacturer wants to take a lead over others in the EV world, knowing well that EVs are the future of mobility. A critical timeline in Europe awaits: the European Parliament intends to ban the sale of combustion engine cars by 2035. In the backdrop of this scenario, Aptera Motors, a firm based in San Diego, has just concluded the P12-an automobile capable of recharging itself with solar technology that can re-establish the sustainable mobility paradigm. Let us delve deeper into this innovative car that claims to set new benchmarks for eco-friendly transportation.
Aptera P12: solar-powered car for sustainable mobility
Designed to integrate photovoltaic cells on its roof, the Aptera P12 intercepts up to 700 watts of energy and grants about 40 miles of range daily, provided there is ideal sunlight. Being positioned as a more affordable alternative to similar models such as the LightYear, the P12 not only simplifies life for avoiding frequent recharge, but it’s solving one of the biggest issues with which electric cars are contended: the rather limited charging infrastructure.
Aptera P12 Technical Specifications Lightweight and Aerodynamic Vehicle for the Ultimate in Efficiency
Besides the solar charging, the P12 is extremely light at around 1,800 pounds. With its aerodynamically optimized design, it has a drag coefficient of only 0.13 compared with Tesla’s Model S, with its drag coefficient of 0.24. The 150 kW motor produces 229 pound-feet of torque, and additional battery packs will increase the total range of this P12 up to 1,000 miles.
When it’s overcast or on those days where the sun just is not available, the P12 will also be capable of recharging at conventional charging stations, making it even more versatile. The three-wheel design with a structure made from carbon fiber means the P12 has been engineered to be robust yet very lightweight. Aptera has also focused on a minimalist interior in order to further reduce weight and energy consumption.
The P12 reaches a maximum speed of 100 mph, while accelerating the car from 0 to 60 mph in less than four seconds. The Launch Edition starts at around $36,000, with the more advanced models going to an officially asked-for price of $50,000.
