New vehicle achieves 300 to 1000 miles per gallon

The Typ-1 is a three-wheeled vehicle. Two front wheels are used to steer, and the rear wheel is connected to an electric motor. Lithium phosphate batteries are located in the area in front of the driver, behind the headlights. On the Aptera Everywhere, some of that space is used to accommodate the gasoline generator.

The Typ-1 is expected to consume 60-80 Watt·hours/km at 55 mph (90 km/h),[8] making it a low energy vehicle. The Typ-1 has a drag coefficient of 0.11, compared with 0.19 for the record-holding EV1. It uses recessed windshield wipers, low rolling resistance tires,[3] and cameras in place of side mirrors. The body design is similar to the human-powered 'Pegasus' and 'Fusion' vehicles[18] and the MIT Aztec, but the direct inspiration was the Volkswagen 1-litre car.[19]

Aptera Motors uses composites in its construction, both to reduce weight and allow the unconventional body shape. This would normally be prohibitively expensive, but their Panelized Automated Composite Construction (PAC2) process fully automates the manufacture of the composite body.

The target battery capacity of the Aptera Local is 10 kWh[20], with the Aptera Everywhere having a lower capacity battery. The recharge time on a conventional 110 volt outlet is estimated at 2-4 hours. The Typ-1 will also slowly charge its battery during the day through solar panels on the roof. The manufacturer of the batteries or motor has not been revealed, but the batteries are sourced from two different manufacturers.[2] The battery will also be paired with supercapacitors.[3]

The Aptera Everywhere uses a "small, water-cooled EFI Gasoline engine with closed loop oxygen feedback and catalytic converter," coupled with a 12 kW generator/starter[20]. With a tank capacity of "up to five gallons (19 L),"[1] the Aptera Everywhere has a claimed range of 600-700 miles (965-1125 km)[21], compared to the 120 miles (193 km) range of the Aptera Local. It is not connected to the drivetrain; instead, it is used to recharge the batteries.

As with any series plug-in hybrid, fuel economy of the Aptera Everywhere depends on trip length and battery charge. For short trips on a full charge, the genset may not turn on at all. Aptera Motors has stated that 300 mpg (U.S.) (1 l/100 km) applies to a 120 miles (193 km) trip on a full battery. With a depleted battery or for very long trips, the fuel economy is approximately 130 mpg (U.S.) (2 l/100 km). Aptera Motors justifies the 300 mpg figure by stating that 99% of Americans make daily trips of under 120 miles (190 km).[20] The 130 mpg figure is, however, appropriate for comparing operational power efficiency with solely gas-powered vehicles.

Because the Typ-1 has only three wheels, most states in the US classify the vehicle as a motorcycle. This configuration also means that safety and emissions tests are not mandatory, like they are for automobiles.

Despite this, Aptera Motors has said they will incorporate safety features normally found in cars. The Typ-1 will use a Formula One inspired passenger safety cell and boxed sandwich foam core composite structures. Frontal crumple distance is 45 inches (114 cm), large for a vehicle of its size. As the body is above most car's bumpers, a colliding vehicle's bumper will travel under the Typ-1's body, deflecting the energy. Despite its height, the placement of the heavy batteries lowers the Typ-1's center-of-mass, a design similar to the highly stable Commuter Cars Tango. Driver and passenger airbag-in-seatbelts are also provided. All three wheels have dual hydraulic brakes, in addition to the rear regenerative brake.[22]

It has also been suggested that the use of rear-view cameras instead of mirrors will improve situational awareness, reducing the odds of an accident.[6] Other drivers may be more aware of such an unusual vehicle,[23] and LED brake and directional indicators gives other drivers more reaction time.