One of the most hotly anticipated concept cars in recent history, the
Aptera solar-powered car took a large step towards reality recently as
the first-ever production-grade body arrived at Aptera Motors
headquarters in San Diego. The three-wheeler is advertised as containing
34 square feet of solar paneling that actually powers the car as it
drives or while it’s parked, but so many aspects are completely new in a
commercial automobile designed for mass production that extra
precautions and preparations are needed before it can hit the road. The
team is hard at work finalizing the cable routing, connectors, and
placement of components in preparation for their first builds. According
to the company, all the parts for its production-intent battery packs
and other non-structural components have been ordered and are currently
being “validated” in Italy by the company’s supply partner. Instead of
having 200-300 parts to the body, the Aptera has four parts to the main
structure, and that makes it much easier to build, track, and assemble.
The company says the Aptera’s solar panels will deliver 40 miles of
range from charging per sunny day, but the car can be plugged in like
any other EV. Aptera also maintains that its vehicle will have 1,000
miles of range because of the perfect aerodynamics, low-weight, and
efficient drive-train.
July 27, 2024
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On This Day
1909 - Orville Wright set a record for the longest airplane flight. He was testing the first Army airplane and kept it in the air for 1 hour 12 minutes and 40 seconds.
Fact of the Day
Motorcycles in China are required by law to be decommissioned and destroyed 13 years after registration, regardless of their condition.
Nature Oddities
Nicknamed “sea parrots,” Atlantic puffins spent most of their lives out at sea, flapping their wings up to 400 times a minute and speeding through the air at up to 55mph.
Food and Drink
Yubari King cantaloupes can cost as much as $27,000. They are expensive because of the extreme cultivation process, which includes inspecting them by hand. They are exceptionally sweet, fragrant, and indulgent.