Supercarbaldie, yep that’s me, has been honored to get a first look at the Aptera Solar Electric car from California. Having a first private look at this new car had me amazed. This car is of the grid, and I mean that in the literal sense.  In line with UAE national day, Aptera will be producing 53 limited editions and I suspect that those will be snapped up rather quick too.
The Aptera has been designed to be as efficient and as sustainable as possible. Let’s start with the fact the Aptera production car will have 189 small solar panels lining the roof and the front of the car. All will be collecting the suns rays and supplying up to 64 km per day. Add this to the extremely streamlined and aerodynamic body, you could be driving around without ever stopping to charge. The car looks so fluid, almost dolphin like, but then have you seen how fast a dolphin cuts through the water. Â
The butterfly doors are nothing new, but they certainly add more character to an already characterful and quirky car. Opening them, is as simple as knocking twice in the approximate area you would normally find the door handle. So long as the secure key, which I might add is on your phone is within proximity, then you’re in. The body is made of composites and for strength under that skin is a honeycomb mesh. The recharge point hides behind the rear number plate. Simply moving it sideways to reveal. The Aptera can of course use pretty much all of the regular charge points for Tesla, etc. and a full charge on a 50Kwh charging unit will take 30 minutes. The party piece, that charge will give you a range of 640km. Â
The interior has more room available than you would imagine. Yes the car looks small, however, 6ft 3 and I am sure your would fit in. It’s an open minimalists dream inside. All functions (Including the drive selection) run through the centre screen. Forgot to ask but I would say the screen is approximately 12 inch. The materials used have all been ethically sourced. You will here in the video, but the centre console on this particular pre-production model was made from pineapples, quite a sweet addition I’d say. The boot space is 1000 litres. Yep, 1000. Aptera also have a tent that fixes to the rear of the car. Two 6 footers can lie in the boot of this car side by side.Â
If your tempted to grab one of the 53 being produced for the end of the year, be quick. I really do expect them to be gone in a short space of time. Here’s the link: Union Edition | Aptera  I am looking forward to seeing the cars on the roads here. And if you order, call me. I would love to come along and do a story with you.Â