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Aptera Motors to Showcase its Solar EV at CES in 2025

At CES 2025, a near-production-model of a solar powered car will be displayed.

Aptera Motors announced that it will display a version of the solar-powered vehicle with its name, “production intent”, at the massive consumer electronics show in Las Vegas from January 7-10.

According to the manufacturer, the Aptera can drive up to 40miles per day using solar energy. It also has a futuristic, three-wheeled design and offers unmatched energy efficiency.

Rob Enderle – president and chief analyst at the Enderle GroupTechNewsWorld was told by an advisory firm in Bend, Ore.

Edward Sanchez, senior analyst at the Automotive Practice of a major financial institution, said that “Aptera has a lot of attention from the industry.” TechInsights, is a global company that provides technology intelligence.

“It’s a radical departure from the majority of mainstream cars,” he said to TechNewsWorld. “There is a question about demand and appeal of such an unconventional design.”

“The company uses some manufacturing technologies that have, to date, been primarily used in the motorsports and supercar industries,” he added.

“The company is targeting a competitive price point for its vehicle, so it will be interesting to see how these specialized techniques and materials will scale for what’s intended to be a quasi-mass-market vehicle — from a volume standpoint — and if the company can maintain competitive operating margins over the longer term.”

Demo Under Scrutiny

Mark N. Vena is the president and principal analyst of SmartTech ResearchThe Las Vegas-based consulting and research company, said that Aptera’s demonstration will be scrutinized to the hilt. “The introduction a production-intent car signals that Aptera has transitioned from the prototype phase into a model ready to mass manufacture, a crucial milestone in its development,” said he.

This step shows the company’s confidence that the vehicle is designed, functional, and can be manufactured in accordance with industry standards, he said. It also builds consumer and investor confidence by showcasing an actual product that is close to market readiness. This sets the stage for final tests, production scaling and eventual delivery. “I’m not hopeful.”

Early adopters have pre-ordered 50,000 vehicles for US$1.7 billion.

Chris Anthony, Aptera Co CEO, stated in a release that the CES was the ideal platform to reveal the future of transportation.

Our production-intent car is not only the result of years of engineering and innovation, but it also represents a tangible way to reduce carbon emissions and redefine how we view energy-efficient mobility. We are excited to demonstrate to the world how Aptera can deliver a cleaner and more sustainable future.

In order to achieve this, however, there are a number of significant challenges that must be overcome. Enderle explains that “there isn’t enough area on the car to allow the solar panel technology used today to do anything more than run the HVAC system to keep the vehicle cool.” The massive batteries of most EVs could take weeks or even days to charge using car panels.

Power Problem

Ben Zientara – a solar industry and policy expert SolarReviewsSolar cells embedded on the car’s surface are not enough to power vehicles that people would like to drive, according to, an online reviews and advice site.

TechNewsWorld reported that “even the most efficient of solar cells will only add a few extra miles to the range each day, even when parked in a sunny spot in shadiest state.” “The average vehicle can travel 3.5 miles on one kilowatt of electricity.” A car equipped with solar cells could generate three to four kWh a day. That’s enough to cover 10 to 14 miles a day using solar power.

He said that the solar cells used in previous solar-powered EVs from Lightyear One and Sono Sion both peaked at 1.2 kilowatts when exposed to full sun. This means the car needs to be in an ideal location, parked on a very bright day for several long hours and have the perfect cleanliness to reach the maximum range.

Seth Goldstein said, “I do not see a big opportunity until we see significant progress in technology and cost, which would allow them to compete with current vehicles, including those with internal combustion engine and electric vehicles.” Goldstein is a Chicago-based equity strategist who chairs the electric vehicle group at the Chicago-based Morningstar Research Services.

He explained that Aptera targets a range of 40 miles with solar power, and then the vehicle will be converted to an electric car. “I don’t think consumers will be willing to pay more for solar-powered travel of 40 miles.”

Solar Power: A Vagary of Power

Solar power is not only subject to the surface-topower problem. Zientara stated that “cars are exposed to weather conditions, falling trees, bird poop and other debris which cause a loss of power from solar cells.”

It is almost impossible to align the solar cells on the car’s roof perfectly to the sun, he said. He explained that to get the best out of solar cells, it is important they are angled perpendicularly to incoming light. “A car is made up of many surfaces that are all angled differently. If you maximize one surface’s orientation, the other surfaces are not pointing directly at the Sun.

Another problem is the sun’s constant movement in the sky. Zientara pointed out that “even if one or more vehicles’ faces are aimed directly at the Sun, this will not last very long.” “And, the sun changes through the year. In the summer it shines directly onto the northern hemisphere and in the winter less. So, solar cells on the car’s surface produce more energy in summer and less in winter regardless of the weather.

Solar-powered vehicles could find a niche in certain markets. Vena explained that “Solar-powered cars are suitable for situations in which extended travel can maximize the energy generated, such as remote or rural areas without access to charging infrastructure.” “They’re well-suited to low-speed, shorter-distance transport, such as delivery services, campus buses, or recreational vehicles where energy demands are lower.”

Solar-powered cars can be used for backup power, or as a sustainable alternative to living off the grid. They also contribute to energy independence.

Enderle admitted that the devices won’t work for many people, but for those who can or must use them to live off-grid or have no other viable charging options, they may be a lifesaver.