Aptera has conducted extensive validation testing on its first production-intent vehicle at a proving ground in the Mojave Desert, a significant marker towards manufacturing its solar electric vehicles (sEV). The company is working through final validations before beginning production for its nearly 50,000 reservation holders.
The company performed coastdown testing to measure the vehicle’s efficiency, with results showing the sEV took over three minutes to decelerate from 60 mph to a complete stop, even while traveling uphill. According to Aptera’s calculations, this coastdown distance exceeds that of any other vehicle currently available.
Engineers also conducted aerodynamic tuft testing, applying tufts to critical areas including wheel fairings and vehicle gaps. This confirmed that real-world airflow matched computer simulations, allowing for fine-tuning of the vehicle’s design for maximum efficiency.
During extended highway drive cycle testing covering hundreds of miles, data showed that Aptera’s mathematical simulation model accurately predicts real-world efficiency within a few percentage points, validating the vehicle’s aerodynamics, drivetrain, and overall design.
“Our validation testing confirms that we’re on track to achieve our target energy consumption of roughly 100 Wh/mile – unlocking a level of efficiency that makes solar mobility possible in a way never seen before,” said Steve Fambro, Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Aptera. “What started as Matlab calculations is now coming to life on the road. This is the future of transportation.”
Aptera’s next validation vehicle is already in development, featuring refinements to key areas including better fit around vehicle gaps and optimized parts for the target weight profile. The company plans additional testing to confirm the vehicle’s range and solar charging capabilities as it moves toward full-scale production.
