Aptera Motors Raises More Than $24 Million: Production of its Ultra-Efficient Vehicle One Step Closer
The money are in the bank for this shark looking car. The new funds will be used to start initial production of the Typ-1, a radically different vehicle that marries advanced aerodynamics with light-weight composite technology. Additionally, the company plans to use the newly raised funds for a new manufacturing facility located in Vista, California near the company’s present headquarters in Carlsbad. The Series C round of venture funding came Idealab, Esenjay Investments, The Simons Family, The Beall Family Trust and Google, Inc.
Aptera has received over 3,300 deposits from California-only buyers eager to be among the first to drive this new vehicle.
The Aptera Typ-1 will be the most efficient passenger vehicle in the world. The first production models are planned to be available in December 2008 with the production rate increasing throughout 2009. With a coefficient of drag literally one-third of a subcompact car and less than half the weight, the all-electric version will get up to 120 miles per charge, while the hybrid version, which will follow in about 12 months, will achieve close to 300 MPG.
“With energy prices and oil prices where they are, we feel dramatic increases in the efficiency of transportation, like the Typ-1, are greatly needed,” said Bill Gross, chairman and CEO of Idealab. “The Aptera Typ-1 is designed to be the lowest energy way to transport two passengers safely from point A to point B. Clearly, our expectations for this first vehicle and this company are very high.”
[via] www.aptera.com
