Could solar-powered cars be the future of electric vehicles?

As the electric vehicle industry becomes increasingly competitive and consumers become more eco-conscious, one California-based company created a car that can run on solar power. NBC News’ Steve Patterson took it for a test drive to find out how it works.

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[danwat]

The only reason why it had trouble with the hill was that the electric motors water cooling hoses were not hooked up. Production vehicle will be ready for heat wave mountain driving

[dolorlux]

He was so confident in the Aptera he didn't even bother hooking up the cooling system. Let's not forget the torque gets you from 0 -60 in 4 seconds. It'll be just as strong as any other EV. lol If Jerry Rig can drag race it, I think a hill isn't that big of a deal. A single 750w motor can roll 400lbs up a hill,

[Scott]

My round-trip commute to work is 70 miles a day. IF this vehicle could get me 60 miles daily in range from just solar I would never have to charge it, as it would be topped off on weekends with just the solar panels... with that in mind, the developers are stating that they believe in the right to repair and that the solar panels are modular and may be swapped out over time with new more efficient panels as they are developed... It makes me really hopeful for the future of this brand.

[larrye]

First company to acquire tesla's network. It will launch with tesla port.

[JT]

40 miles a day from the sun, 0 - 60 in 4 seconds. Up to 1, 000 miles on a charge. (The initial version, the launch edition will get 400 miles on a charge.)

It can be plugged into fast chargers when necessary, or it can be charged from a home 110 outlet. Since it’s so aerodynamic, it has a smaller battery, it’ll charge faster than other EVs.

[unclegeorge]

A very gentle and kind report. Thank you, NBC News.

[yodak]

“I think your the first person to drive this on a hill” lol

So it hasn’t been tested much ?

[solarcrystal]

I remember when they said production will start "next year", like 1 or 2 years ago

[jajajiji]

is there any journal or article i can refer to for this

[CoreyChambersLA]

They need to fix that uphill power problem and overheating issue.

[Mr-Kind-au]

I would drive it around town in Toowoomba but I have reservations about driving it down the Toowoomba range. (Toowoomba is 78 miles west of Brisbane, Queensland.)

[electro_sykes]

The predominance of ‘car culture’ in many high-income countries has relegated public transport to a less ‘cool’ status and option. Various extents of underfunding and budget cuts have also led to dilapidated, out-of-date, and limited bus and train services internationally. However, low-cost (or free), extensive, high-quality public transport systems have many more benefits than individual car usage.

[brighamc]

Does anybody know what the stock for this company is called so I can buy some?

[wilberforcek]

This is proving how old some of us are when this is available to all we will be in our 80's

[yrenalantigua]

When the sun think you are a solar panel

[sdfjsd]

California plus a solar powered car is perfect. The solar panels would also be good for less sunny places, but not as good.

[amin]

Yes. That doesn't mean other car will cease to exist, it's just that solar car will be one of the future car type.

[Jznglebells]

This is a dream. I hope this dream will come true :)

[darthsirrius]

I'm incredibly disappointed with the journalistic integrity in this video. NOT ONCE was it mentioned they drove a PROTOTYPE, & not even the production intent prototype. Every time I've ever seen anyone talk about that car it's always been referenced as the "Aptera Gamma prototype." There could have EASILY been a 10 second editorial follow up that says that & there's no way that's some kind of deliberate omissions. There's "presenting both sides" or pros & cons, but to openly smear a prototype project by saying it can't drive up hills, even though your B-roll shows it doing just that, is disgusting & disappointing.

[djsal]

This will get recked in California since we have lots of reckless drivers here