Aptera’s latest SEC filing details its financial status, solar EV reservations, and production plans
Solar EV startup Aptera Motors has submitted an Offering Memorandum to the SEC that provides numerous details about its progress in bringing its sustainable mobility technology to market. The startup continues to rely on public investment to fund its SEV development, and the latest filing details just how difficult the road to scaled production is for startups.
We’ve said it once and will say it again – scaling is hard.
Veteran startup Aptera Motors remains up to the challenge and has shared its plans for the future. It will continue to rely on outside investments to reach its holy grail of scaled solar EV production.
In the summer of 2021, Aptera Motors launched a Regulation A offering, complete with an exemption from registration requirements with the SEC in regard to public offerings of its securities while offering the opportunity for funding from (potential) customers up to a certain amount.
In early 2023, co-founders Steve Fambro and Chris Anthony announced a new “Accelerator Program,” in which Aptera accepted community funding investments from reservation holders willing to fork over a minimum of $10,000. Those who invested in Aptera have had their deliveries prioritized with commemorative Launch Edition builds – the first to be built in 2025.
This past February, Aptera relayed that all 2,000 initial production slots had been spoken for, raising nearly $34 million. Despite that influx of cash, Aptera’s co-founders divulged that more funding would be required to scale, and the company had been exploring additional funding streams.
In May, Aptera introduced a new investment opportunity in the form of a self-directed IRA, but less than two weeks later, shared a deadline for crowdfunding opportunities as seeks private funding from FinTech investment firms like US Capital.
Per an email sent to reservation holders and newsletter subscribers, Aptera will close its Regulation A offering on June 30, 2024, capping off three years of crowdfunding that resulted in over $100 million from more than 17,000 investors.
Looking ahead, Aptera still has a long road ahead of it before the masses are driving its potentially revolutionary solar EVs, but its latest SEC filing shows the startup is still very much alive.
Aptera SEC filing: $35.6M in assets and $16.1M in cash
Aptera Motors submitted an Offering Memorandum to the SEC dated May 30, 2024, sharing that it is offering up to $5 million worth of Class B Common Stock (non-voting) at a minimum investment amount of $1,000.
Per the SEC filing, Aptera must raise at least $25,000 by June 30, 2024, in order for any securities to be sold. The listed purchase price per share is $10.50, and the startup is offering perks that vary by the amount of money committed:
- Invest at least $1,000 and receive a $100 coupon toward the purchase price of an Aptera SEV. The coupon can be used for the pre-order reservation fee.
- Invest at least $2,000 and receive a $1,000 coupon toward the purchase of an Aptera SEV.
- Invest at least $10,000 and receive the following:
- 5% discount on a future vehicle.
- Invest $25,000 will receive the following:
- Investors who invest at least $27,000 will receive the following:
- The opportunity to purchase the first Aptera units it delivers to the United Arab Emirates with unique vehicle identifiers for the region.
- Invest $100,000 and have lunch with Aptera co-founders Chris Anthony and Steve Fambro.
Per the SEC filing, Aptera has a priority delivery waitlist in which the first 53 solar EVs will be delivered to the UAE that will go to investors in the Middle East who commit to at least $27,000. This is a separate perk from the 2,000 Launch Edition Aptera SEVs already secured in California. Here are some other pertinent details from Aptera’s SEC filing:
- As of May 25, 2024, the startup had 48,000 SEV reservations with a less than 5% cancellation rate and $11 million in open purchase orders (not debt)
- Its previously announced supply agreements with Yazaki, CPC Group, and CTNS are non-binding.
- As of April 30, 2024, Aptera Motors had $35.6 million in assets and $16.1 million in cash
- Between January 1 and May 19, 2024, it sold 864,580 Class B common shares for $9.1 million.
- Aptera currently has 29 full-time employees.
What’s interesting is through 38 pages of the filing, there is zero mention of US Capital, the potential investor Aptera has been in talks with but has remained extremely vague about.
While production of the Launch Edition SEVs is still targeted for 2025, Aptera shared it won’t scale more until 2026, when it expects an annual output of 20,000 units. Many of the boldened headers in Aptera’s SEC filing detail a tough road ahead, including phrases like “Our auditor has issued a ‘going concern’ opinion” and “We face significant technological and legal barriers to entry.”
Because Aptera’s journey will be so capital-intense in a highly competitive market, it said it will rely heavily on revenue from a single model (the flagship Aptera SEV) and a limited number of them. Previously, Aptera’s co-founders have hinted at plans for additional solar-powered models, but those seem a long way away as the startup continues to claw forward via capital raises and “future fundraising rounds.”
We continuously applaud Aptera Motors for its transparency with the public, so we’re confident the startup will continue to keep investors and reservation holders informed on some of the hurdles detailed above in its monthly updates. We recommend checking out the full Offering Memorandum to see the big picture of where Aptera stands and how it intends to move forward.
If anything, Aptera’s SEC filing shows just how difficult the process is to reach scaled vehicle production unless you have billions of dollars at your disposal. Still, we are very much rooting for the company and hope to get behind the wheel of a production version of the SEV in the future.
As always, you can still reserve an Aptera for $30 off here or visit the company’s investment page to support its attempt at reaching production.
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Stellantis is recalling over 375,000 Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrids, telling owners to avoid charging and park away from any buildings due to a potential fire risk.
Stellantis recalls Jeep Wrangler, Grand Cherokee PHEVs
After an internal investigation found 19 reports of fires, Stellantis said it was recalling about 320,065 Jeep plug-in hybrid SUVs in the US.
The recall affects certain model-year 2020-2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe and 2022-2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe models.
Stellantis is recalling another 20,753 Jeep PHEVs in Canada, 2,653 in Mexico, and 32,238 in markets outside of North America.
Until the remedy is available, the company is urging owners to refrain from charging and to park away from buildings or other vehicles. The risk of a fire is less when the battery is drained, the company said.
The batteries were produced by Samsung SDI, the same defect that led to the recall of 154,000 Jeep plug-in hybrids in 2024. Vehicles included in that recall will still need the new remedy.
According to Stellantis, nine of the reported fires were from Jeep Wranglers and Grand Cherokees included in the 2024 recall.
Stellantis said a remedy “is imminent,” and affected drivers will be notified when they can schedule a service appointment.
Until then, owners can call customer care at 1-800-853-1403 with questions or concerns. You can also visit recalls.mopar.com for more information.
The recall comes after Stellantis issued one for nearly 25,000 Jeep Wrangler PHEVs less than two weeks ago due to a software glitch that left drivers stranded with bricked vehicles. Some had to be towed to dealers.
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Zero Motorcycles, long known for its powerful electric motorcycles, is diving deeper into the world of urban mobility with the launch of the all-new LS1 electric scooter. Unveiled today at EICMA 2025 in Milan, the LS1 is designed to expand Zero’s reach beyond motorcycles and into the increasingly important city commuter segment.
The LS1 marks a key milestone in Zero’s “All-Access” initiative, aimed at making electric two-wheelers available to a broader range of riders. Compact, lightweight, and built for life in dense city environments, the LS1 brings Zero’s signature electric performance into a much more approachable and user-friendly package.
Powered by a mid-mounted motor and fueled by two swappable floorboard-mounted batteries, the LS1 offers up to 115 km (71 miles) of range in standard configuration. Riders looking to go further can add an optional third battery, stored under the seat, to extend range to 170 km (106 miles).
With a top speed of 100 km/h (62 mph), ABS, traction control, and a low seat height, the LS1 seems to offer the kind of versatility and rider confidence needed for navigating tight European streets.
For charging, the removable batteries can be topped up indoors using the included 800W charger (0–95% in 4.5 hours or 20–80% in 3 hours), or more quickly with an optional 1,500W fast charger that cuts those times nearly in half. That ease of off-board charging, combined with under-seat storage big enough for a helmet or groceries, seeks to make the LS1 a practical daily driver for urban riders and apartment dwellers.
Built as part of Zero’s expanding partnership with Zongshen, which also saw Zero roll out two trail-oriented e-motos, the LS1 seems to offer a nice balance between Zero’s design and more affordable Chinese production. And with a projected price of roughly €5,200 depending on the country/market, it seems reasonably priced to sell.
“The LS1 is designed for the people we see every day in cities like Paris, Milan, or Barcelona,” said Zero CEO Pierre-Martin Bos. “It’s simple, stylish, and makes electric riding accessible to a whole new group of riders.”
Bos recently replaced Sam Paschal as Zero’s new CEO, part of significant shifts lately at Zero that saw the company move its base of operations out of the US and reduce its workforce. A representative of Zero at the EICMA booth also explained that Zero’s former CTO Abe Askenazi is also no longer with the company.
Electrek’s Take
This is an interesting move by Zero, and probably a smart one. Flagship electric motorcycles may feature impressive performance, but they aren’t bringing in big profits right now. Smaller, modest e-motos that fit into more lifestyles are where the volume is at right now.
The LS1 brings the brand’s premium engineering and EV know-how to a format that more riders actually want, and can use every day. It’s lightweight, nimble, and doesn’t try to be a motorcycle in disguise. For city riders who’ve wanted a legit, high-quality electric scooter from a trusted brand, this could be an answer.
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After teasing another new vehicle, Toyota said “a major unveiling” is set for next week. Is this Toyota’s electric truck?
What new vehicle is Toyota teasing now?
After stealing the spotlight at the Japan Mobility Show last week with the Corolla Concept, Land Cruiser FJ, and ultra-luxe Century brand, Toyota is at it again.
Toyota is teasing another new vehicle ahead of what it’s calling a “major unveiling” set for next week. “Get ready to embark on a new journey together,” the company said.
The image appears to be of the new Hilux, Toyota’s compact midsize Hilux pickup truck. The Hilux is the best-selling pickup outside of North America, going head-to-head with the Ford Ranger and other smaller trucks. It’s even Toyota’s most popular vehicle in some markets across Southeast Asia and Africa.
Currently in its eighth generation, Toyota’s pickup is due for an overhaul. Toyota teased the new vehicle, revealing slim LED headlights and a rugged front-end design.
A video from Toyota Thailand offers a better look at the pickup from the back and side. The rear features redesigned taillights similar to those on the front end. You can also see it’s a four-door pickup, or Double Cab.
Toyota said the major unveiling is set for November 10. We have yet to learn the prices or any powertrain specs (or even officially what vehicle it is), but it could arrive with a battery-electric (BEV) powertrain.
According to Drive, Toyota’s plans to release an electric Hilux pickup leaked during the Tokyo Motor Show. A slide shown to Malaysian media was leaked on Instagram, revealing two pickups, one clearly marked as a BEV. The other vehicles included the new bZ4X, Land Cruiser FJ, and Yaris Ativ.
The leaked image comes after Toyota Thailand president Noriaki Kamashita told reporters during last year’s Bangkok International Motor Show that the Hilux EV would launch by the end of 2025.
Although an electric variant is a possibility, the Hilux is expected to continue to be offered with its current mild-hybrid 2.8-liter turbo diesel engine.
We will learn more next week. Check back on November 10 for the full details.
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