While most manufacturers are struggling to bring the range of their electric cars up to the level of combustion engines, the Aptera from the US start-up of the same name puts even the most enduring gasoline engine in the shade. The Stromer, which was presented for the first time in 2020, can cover a whopping 1,600 kilometers with one battery charge. He owes this long breathing to two peculiarities. On the one hand, the car is equipped with a solar roof, which ensures that fresh energy from the sun ends up in the battery while driving. On the other hand, it is extremely light, weighing between 800 and 1,000 kilograms. An important aspect, but at the expense of the design.
The Aptera is reminiscent of a futuristic Batmobile for very slim superheroes. In addition to the aerodynamic shape, what is particularly striking is that the car only has three wheels. Doesn’t necessarily sound like a vehicle that impresses on the road, but appearances can be deceiving. Depending on the version, the Aptera accelerates from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour (km/h) in 3.5 or 5.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 180 km/h. Key data that apparently let interested parties overlook the slanted design, because the optics do not seem to have a negative effect on demand. As Focus.de reports, there are already 22,000 pre-orders for the car.
Delivery starts at the end of 2022
Originally, the manufacturer had announced a limited edition launch for 2021. Apparently nothing came of it. The speedster is now scheduled to roll off the assembly line at the end of 2022. The Aptera is available in four different battery sizes and starts at a price of 25,900 US dollars (approx. 21,400 euros). The most expensive top-of-the-line model with the aforementioned miracle range costs 50,700 US dollars (approx. 47,250 euros). You can also choose between front and all-wheel drive and various colors. Aptera is still accepting pre-orders. A deposit of USD 100 (approx. EUR 93) is required to secure the reservation.
The idea of the Aptera is that you almost never have to charge it from the socket. The solar roof supplies the power storage unit with electricity for around 72 kilometers on sunny days. Anyone who uses the compact Stromer primarily for the most obvious tasks, such as the way to work and the weekly shop, should always have a full battery thanks to the constant supply of solar energy. Sounds almost too good to be true.
