Aptera co-CEO hints at a return to crowdfunding as $60M raise with US Capital Global falters
Aptera Motors is currently doing fine testing its first production-intent solar electric vehicles but has been very candid about its need for more funding to reach bonafide production. Its most recent SEC filing details slower-than-expected investments from convertible notes, and the startup’s co-CEO recently hinted that Aptera might revisit crowdfunding, seeking help from the loyal following that has helped it this far.
Aptera Motors is the solar-electric “engine” that could (and still could). We’ve kept close tabs on the startup over the years and have made a conscious effort to keep you readers informed on its progress, much of which has been promising. Especially over the past 18 months or so.
We consistently applaud Aptera Motors for its transparency and monthly updates, often led by co-CEOs Steve Frambro and Chris Anthony, who continue to fight onward in bringing the second iteration of Aptera to its fullest potential and reach what has now become the holy grail of solar EV development – full-scale production.
Last month, Aptera delivered a significant milestone to the public, showcasing its first-ever production-intent build, complete with genuine components we could one day see in a flagship solar EV on the road. Until this point, crowdfunding led by a loyal fanbase of reservation holders and believers in sustainable technology has gotten Aptera this far.
Last we heard, Aptera had raised over $135 million from over 17,000 investors, which the startup touted as the most successful crowdfunding raise in history. However, the company shared that it would need another $60 million in additional funding to begin low-volume SEV production, now slotted for late 2025.
To achieve this, Aptera shuttered its crowdfunding campaigns and turned to financial group US Capital Global, which has been leading the $60 million sale of convertible notes since July. Based on SEC filings, more prominent investors appear weary of investing in the solar EV startup. Still, Aptera’s co-CEOs continue to push forward regardless but have hinted at other levers to gain cashflow, including a fresh crowdfunding campaign.
Could Aptera revisit crowdfunding to reach production?
So far, Aptera’s $60 million funding raise has not gone as quickly as planned. When the startup originally announced the partnership with US Capital Global over the summer, executives from the financial group anticipated the raise would take 60 to 90 days.
We are now in November, beyond the 90-day timeline, and per Aptera’s October 21, 2024, filing with the SEC, it had only sold $400,000 of the $60 million in convertible notes. The co-CEOs shared that the minimum investment price through US Capital was $50,000. That is far too much green for the average Aptera crowdfunding participant but not an obscene amount for larger investment firms.
Based on those October figures, financial groups appear hesitant to invest in the startup despite its progress and the potential of its solar EV technology. Whether its on Reddit, Discord, or the Electrek comment section, the Aptera community is still very high on the startup and believes it can succeed and stay on track for mass production in 2026.
Munro and Associates, led by Sandy Munro, signed on as a partner to Aptera Motors in 2020, and the famed automotive enthusiast has made several appearances alongside the startup’s co-founders in addition to routine visits to its headquarters in Carlsbad, California.
Last month, Munro Live shot a video at Aptera HQ where co-founders Steve Fambro and Chris Anthony walked Sandy around the shop and inside and out of the PI-2 Solar EV. From the driver’s seat, Munro peppered Fambro and Anthony with questions about their required funding.
Most of the answers were routine and stuff we’d already heard before, but there was one little juicy tidbit Chris Anthony said that’s noteworthy. We highly recommend watching the full 40-minute video, which we’ve embedded below, but the stuff we’re talking about today starts at around 37 minutes.
Munro asked about funding, and Anthony explained the $60 million raise via convertible notes with US Capital. Per Anthony, that funding would help Aptera get all the necessary production equipment and tooling to begin building initial customer vehicles. Anthony also shared that money would help get Aptera to a run rate of 6,000 solar EVs per year, which are cashflow neutral. Here’s where it gets good. Anthony elaborates:
We think along the way, we may open the crowdfunding again because right now, the minimum investment for the convertible note is $50,000. So, a lot of people have been waiting to invest in Aptera, but they can’t because the minimum is so high.
So Aptera is considering a return to crowdfunding to gain additional funding, but perhaps somewhere down the road. The immediate focus remains on the convertible note with US Capital Global. Anthony went on:
But it’s going well, we’ve made lots of great connections over the last two months and hopefully we’ll continue the raise and be able to start buying some of this bigger equipment like the castings for the rear and stuff like that soon.
If there wasn’t enough riding on the $60 million convertible note with US Capital, it is the best current option to get Aptera the equipment it needs to begin genuine SEV production. However, crowdfunding has already proven quite fruitful for Aptera in the past, and its founders have not lost sight of that option.
As always, we will keep you in the loop on Aptera news as it progresses with more production-intent builds, including a PI-2 with solar panels ahead of more testing. You can reserve an Aptera for $30 off the $100 reservation by clicking here.
As promised, here’s the full video from Munro Live that offers a fantastic look at the PI-2 build so far:
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On today’s festive episode of Quick Charge, Tesla steps up for its owners by calling in mobile charging stations to cut down on wait time. Meanwhile Hyundai has some extra goodies for your stockings and Texas is cleaning up its act.
We’ve also got big savings for Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra shoppers, as well as some good environmental news in the form of new solar and wind projects coming online at a record clip, and a dirty Texas mine that’s cleaning up its act.
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Dodge is rolling out a hefty discount on the 2025 Charger Daytona EV even though it hasn’t officially hit the market yet. According to a dealer bulletin, the 2025 Daytona EV qualifies for a juicy $3,000 discount, but you won’t see it advertised anywhere. Here’s how you could snag this deal and save big.
On December 13, Stellantis introduced the BEV Dealer Cash Coupon Program, an incentive program designed to sweeten the deal on electric Dodge models. Under this program, dealers get a $1,000 cash coupon for the Charger Daytona – and here’s the kicker – they can stack up to three of these coupons for a total of $3,000 in savings. Unlike traditional rebates that go directly to the buyer, dealers have the option to keep the incentive as extra profit.
The program covers both the 2024 and 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona EVs for purchases and leases. But there’s more: if you’re leasing, you can stack that $3,000 dealer cash with a $7,500 lease incentive tied to a commercial tax credit (unavailable when buying). Add it all up, and you could score a whopping $10,500 in savings. This deal is slated to end on April 30, 2025, so there’s time to plan your move.
For some context, the 2024 Dodge Charger EV starts at $61,590, including destination fees. With $10,500 in potential savings, that’s an impressive 17% discount off MSRP—and that’s before you factor in any additional dealer discounts. Interestingly, Dodge has a higher-than-usual difference between invoice and MSRP pricing on the Daytona, meaning there’s room for negotiation if you’re savvy.
Of course, there are a few things to watch out for. Dealer participation varies, so your results may depend on where you shop. Plus, Dodge hasn’t released pricing for the 2025 Charger Daytona yet, so there’s some guesswork involved. Still, if you’re hunting for a bargain, the 2024 Charger EV stands out as one of the best financing deals right now, offering 0% interest for up to 72 months.
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Source: Stellantis via CarsDirect
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Toyota’s electric SUV may soon get a fresh start. After a rocky debut, the Toyota bZ4X is reportedly due for a rebrand, with a new name coming as soon as 2026.
Is Toyota giving the bZ4X a new name?
After launching the bZ4X in 2022, Toyota’s first electric SUV had a bumpy market debut. In June 2022, all bZ4X models were recalled over concerns that the wheels could fall off.
Since then, Toyota has struggled to gain traction. Through the first nine months of 2024, Toyota sold 13,577 bZ4X models in the US. Although that’s double the roughly 6,500 sold through Q3 2023, it’s still less than 1% of its over 1.7 total vehicles sold through September.
As Toyota looks to turn things around, the bZ4X is due for a complete rebrand. Speaking at a recent auto press event in Quebec, a regional director for Toyota Canada said the company is preparing to change the bZ4X name.
According to Motor Illustrated, Patrick Ryan, Toyota’s regional director for Quebec and Atlantic Canada, said the name change will occur over the next year.
Toyota just revealed the 2025 bZ4X last week, so it will likely be for the 2026 model year. Prices for the 2025 Toyota bZ4X start at $37,070 in the US, or $6,000 less than the outgoing model. The FWD model has an EPA-estimated range of up to 252 miles, while the AWD trim has a range of up to 222 miles.
Toyota promotes its bZ branding as “beyond Zero” in reference to EVs cutting emissions. Meanwhile, the “4” determines its format (think RAV4), and the X tells us it’s a crossover.
In the US, all Toyota vehicles are badged with an actual name other than the RAV4 and bZ4X. A new name may make sense since bZ4X is a bit of a tongue twister and had a less-than-favorable reception.
After unveiling its new Urban Cruiser electric SUV earlier this month, will Toyota follow a similar route with the bZ4X? Although its first three-row electric SUV is now delayed until 2026, we could see a completely different naming system rollout.
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