Aptera Motors has completed the first test drive of its production-intent solar electric vehicle (sEV), designed for real-world validation and testing. This vehicle, the first in a series, will evaluate Aptera’s production-ready design, components, and key performance metrics such as range, solar charging capabilities, and overall efficiency.
The vehicle features the newly adopted Vitesco Technologies EMR3 drivetrain, an in-board motor system introduced earlier this year. During the test drive, Aptera successfully validated its proprietary battery pack working in tandem with the EMR3 powertrain, confirming the system’s performance under real-world conditions. The vehicle also debuted Aptera’s production-grade composite body structure, known as the Body in Carbon (BinC), operating with its in-house-developed control code and proprietary battery technology.
“Driving our first production-intent vehicle marks a significant milestone in Aptera’s journey,” said Steve Fambro, Aptera’s co-founder and co-CEO. “It represents meaningful progress toward delivering a vehicle that redefines efficiency, sustainability, and energy independence.”
Aptera plans to continue refining its production-intent models by integrating and testing additional components over time. As new features are validated, the company will conduct increasingly rigorous testing, preparing for mass production and delivery to nearly 50,000 pre-order reservation holders.
The next testing phase will involve integrating Aptera’s solar technology, thermal management system, and production-spec exterior surfaces. Once these features are installed, the vehicle will undergo high-speed track testing to confirm core performance metrics, including energy efficiency (watt-hours per mile), solar charging rates, and estimated battery range.
