How I Built This with Guy Raz – Powering cars with solar energy with Steve Fambro of Aptera Motors

Intro

In this episode of “How I Built This with Guy Raz,” host Guy Raz interviews Steve Fambro, co-founder of Aptera Motors, a company that has designed a solar electric hybrid car. Fambro shares his journey of creating a car platform that focuses on efficiency and aerodynamics, resulting in a vehicle that can travel up to 40 miles on sunlight alone. Join Guy Raz as he dives into the story behind Aptera Motors and their innovative approach to powering cars with solar energy.

Main Takeaways

Designing for Efficiency

• Aptera Motors has designed a solar electric hybrid car that can travel up to 40 miles on sunlight alone, and is available for pre-order.
• The car has a streamlined design with three wheels, two seats, and a large storage area in the back.
• Fambro believes that the most efficient car platform is one with the least weight and aerodynamic drag possible.

The Birth of Aptera Motors

• Co-founder Steve Fambro started thinking about designing cars more efficiently while driving a Ford F-150 pickup truck in stop-and-go traffic.
• Fambro worked with an entrepreneur to create a business plan for his car platform idea.
• Fambro met Chris Anthony, who designed boats with computational fluid dynamics tools to create more drag for wakeboarding.

The Inspiration and Financing

• Aptera is a three-wheeled vehicle that looks like the fuselage of a small airplane.
• The design was inspired by bio mimicry of sharks and fish that swim near the bottom of the ocean.
• The company was financed by Idealab, a business incubator in Pasadena.

A Journey of Ups and Downs

• The first prototype was built within six months of funding and the production version was launched in 2007.
• Appterra, a solar car company, was founded in 2006 before electric vehicles were mainstream.
• Appterra secured a loan commitment but failed to raise money from the private markets, leading to its shutdown in 2011.

A New Beginning for Aptera Motors

• Steve Fandrow and Chris Anthony relaunched Aptera Motors in 2019 after it folded in 2011, with the help of their lobbyist Dwayne Gibson.
• They wanted to create an electric vehicle that was designed from scratch as an electric vehicle, not just an electrified car.
• They decided to blow up range by focusing on efficiency, which led to the idea of adding solar panels all over the vehicle as an additional source of power.

The Future of Solar-Powered Cars

• The solar panels on the Aptera car provide up to 40 miles of range just from solar energy.
• Aptera’s design for efficiency allows them to use a smaller battery pack, resulting in less cost for the consumer, more range, and less charge time.
• Aptera is targeting people who want freedom of mobility and to move without being encumbered by a charge cord or having to pay for electricity.

Summary

Designing for Efficiency

Aptera Motors has revolutionized the concept of efficiency in car design by creating a solar electric hybrid car that can travel up to 40 miles on sunlight alone. The streamlined design of the car, featuring three wheels, two seats, and a spacious storage area, focuses on reducing weight and aerodynamic drag. By prioritizing efficiency, Aptera Motors aims to maximize the range and minimize the energy consumption of their vehicles.

The Birth of Aptera Motors

Steve Fambro’s journey towards creating Aptera Motors began with his realization that cars are not designed for aerodynamics, resulting in wasted energy. Collaborating with an entrepreneur and later meeting Chris Anthony, Fambro developed a business plan and a car platform that prioritizes weight reduction and aerodynamic efficiency. This led to the birth of Aptera Motors and their innovative approach to car design.

The Inspiration and Financing

Aptera Motors drew inspiration from the bio mimicry of sharks and fish that swim near the bottom of the ocean, resulting in a unique three-wheeled vehicle with a fuselage-like design. The company received financing from Idealab, a business incubator in Pasadena, which enabled them to bring their vision to life. The combination of nature-inspired design and financial support laid the foundation for Aptera Motors’ success.

A Journey of Ups and Downs

The journey of Aptera Motors had its fair share of challenges and successes. From building the first prototype within six months to launching the production version in 2007, the company experienced early achievements. However, financial difficulties and the inability to raise sufficient funds from private markets led to the shutdown of the company in 2011. Despite the setback, the founders found inspiration and resilience to forge ahead.

A New Beginning for Aptera Motors

After a hiatus, Steve Fandrow and Chris Anthony relaunched Aptera Motors in 2019, driven by their passion for creating an electric vehicle designed from scratch. Their focus on efficiency led to the incorporation of solar panels throughout the vehicle, providing up to 40 miles of range solely from solar energy. By optimizing efficiency, Aptera Motors aims to offer consumers a cost-effective, environmentally-friendly, and convenient alternative to traditional electric vehicles.

The Future of Solar-Powered Cars

Aptera Motors is at the forefront of the solar-powered car revolution. With their design that maximizes efficiency and utilizes solar panels as an additional power source, they offer consumers a unique driving experience. The smaller battery pack required by their efficient design results in cost savings, increased range, and reduced charge time. Aptera Motors aims to cater to individuals seeking freedom of mobility without the constraints of charging cords or electricity costs.

Conclusion

Aptera Motors’ journey in creating a solar electric hybrid car demonstrates the power of innovation and efficiency in the automotive industry. By challenging traditional car design and incorporating solar energy as a significant power source, Aptera Motors aims to provide consumers with a sustainable and cost-effective mobility solution. As the company continues to refine its technology and expand its product portfolio, the future of solar-powered cars looks promising.