California startup Aptera’s three-wheeled solar-powered EV went on a road trip through Route 66
- This California startup made a three-wheeled solar-powered car
- Aperta sent it out on a road trip along Route 66
- It did the whole trip on a single charge too
Published on Apr 10, 2025 at 2:25 PM (UTC+4)
by Ben Thompson
Last updated on Apr 10, 2025 at 8:51 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
California startup Aptera’s three-wheeled solar-powered EV has just taken a trip through Route 66 without stopping to recharge.
If there’s anything that would integrate an EV into American culture, it’d be a good old fashioned road trip.
And travelling over 300 miles in one day without stopping to charge?
That’s worth talking about all on its own.
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Aptera’s three-wheeler takes on Route 66
When it comes to EVs, there’s constantly new cars coming out.
One British startup is attempting to beat Tesla to the punch on building an electric roadster, whilst Jeff Bezos is reportedly investing in a $25,000 EV pickup truck.
And that’s not even mentioning developments outside of the west.
Chinese manufacturers like BYD and Li Auto are always breaking new ground.
Over in California, Aptera’s three-wheeler took on the most iconic of road trips in America.
The startup from Carlsbad claimed it’s received more than 48,000 reservations for the car – netting $1.7 billion in revenue.
That’s certainly an impressive figure for a startup to rake in.
But after seeing how it performed on Route 66, we have to say that we understand what the hype is all about.
The journey began in Flagstaff, Arizona and stopped in national parks along the way.
Powered by solar panels, this extraordinary vehicle is a real head turner and could be a game changer in the future.
Powered by solar panels – and getting a lot of attention out on the roads
In a video shared to their YouTuber channel, Aptera showed off their three-wheeler as it hit the road.
The host said: “It was great seeing people’s reactions. Almost everyone that drove past us on the highway had their cameras out.”
“We were mixing it up with 18 wheelers the entire time. It was great to see the vehicle perform in the wind and the curves and the highway.”
This appearance of the vehicle could best be likened to a space ship or an iPhone earbud.
Even the road on which Aptera traveled bore some significance.
“The idea of a single continuous highway linking Chicago to Los Angeles seemed almost impossible,” the host said.
“But visionaries like Cyrus Avery pushed forward, believing in something bigger than the road itself.
“And they did it – Route 66 became one of the most iconic highways in America, proving what once seemed improbable could become inevitable.
“I think about that a lot with Aptera, we’re building something that people say can’t be done.
“History shows us that the boldest ideas are the ones that truly change the world.”
To see the remarkable journey for yourself, head over to Aptera’s YouTube channel.
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