Aptera and leading in-wheel powertrain maker, Elaphe, announce strategic deal for electric motors. Aptera Motors delivers the world’s most technologically advanced solar electric vehicles (sEVs),
Aptera Motors announces deal worth several hundred million euros to source distributed drive platform technologies from Elaphe. The deal is another leap forward for Aptera to enter series production in record time. Located in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Elaphe is a technology leader for in-wheel powertrains, and is Aptera’s vendor of record for the electric propulsion system. The arrangement includes a detailed plan to scale production in Slovenia, and then extend production to the US.
Chris Anthony, Co-CEO of Aptera notes that this partnership marks strategic progress for Aptera’s production timeline. “We’re very proud to work with the experts at Elaphe, and this agreement means that we can proceed rapidly. Not only will Elaphe’s in-wheel motors make Aptera faster and more efficient, we are pleased to work with an industry leader redefining what is possible.”
The deal adds positive momentum to Aptera’s rapid development toward the final vehicle production stage and fortifies the existing relationship between Aptera and Elaphe, formalizing the process of incorporating Elaphe’s advanced in-wheel motor technology within Aptera. A major part of the plan is the establishment of a new 160,000 square foot R&D and production center where Elaphe will begin to ramp up motor production for Aptera, leading to a 100,000 unit annual capacity.
Elaphe’s technology allows Aptera to effectively innovate and build its cutting-edge vehicles at a rapid pace. With the competencies in holistic integration, Elaphe’s experience and technology facilitate Aptera’s innovative features and ensure vehicle design freedom. With Aptera’s focus on packaging and vehicle efficiency, these in-wheel motors offer a compact, high-torque solution, allowing for the vehicle’s enhanced aerodynamics, lighter overall vehicle weight, and improved handling — resulting in better mileage and safety.
“Our mission has always been the enablement of vehicle-level innovation. Aptera is pushing to extremes and radically changing the premise of achievable aerodynamic design and manufacturing concepts for electric vehicles. The vehicle is a really good match with Elaphe in-wheel powertrain technology, because it both requires and benefits from motor packaging, low energy losses, and vehicle dynamics. We at Elaphe are excited to have the opportunity to tap into our platform and work with visionaries at Aptera on accelerating their movement.” notes Gorazd lampic, Elaphe’s CEO.
About Aptera
Aptera Motors delivers the world’s most technologically advanced solar electric vehicles (sEVs), made possible by breakthroughs in battery efficiency, aerodynamics, material science, and manufacturing. A lightweight three-wheeler, Aptera is the first in a series of eco-friendly vehicles that will be offered for consumer and commercial use. It has the longest range of any production vehicle with 1,000 miles per charge and the ability to travel up to 40 miles a day on free power from its integrated solar panels. With only six key structural parts, Aptera’s unique body shape allows it to slip through the air using far less energy than other electric and hybrid vehicles on the road today. Learn more and join over 25,000 Aptera reservation holders at www.aptera.us.
About Elaphe
Elaphe technology dates back to the late 1980s and stems from our founder’s research into high-specific torque electric motors. In 2006, Elaphe Propulsion Technologies was founded with a mission to enable the creation of better vehicles by bringing its in-wheel powertrain solutions to the automotive mass market. Today, Elaphe utilizes its leading in-wheel propulsion technology together with the underlying platform of know-how, technologies, and products, both HW and SW, as the enabling technology for the new era of innovation in the automotive industry. Thus, Elaphe’s ecosystem enables its customers and partners to effectively develop and bring their innovative vehicles to market. Learn more at www.in-wheel.com
