SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- Developments in clean technology continue to threaten traditional gas-powered vehicles and turn them into dinosaurs.
While solar-powered vehicles have been a dream for more than a half-century, this could be the year we see one mass-produced off a California assembly line.
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8,000 people have already put down deposits on a solar-powered vehicles from Aptera that hopes to be in production by year's end.
The three-wheeler can transport two people, using a solar array that can be supplemented with additional panels on the hood and rear hatch to extend range up to 1,000 miles.
The Batmobile-like profile was designed to reduce wind resistance, which impacts range. Instead of steel, the body is a composite of carbon, Kevlar and hemp. Composites are used in racing cars, such as Formula 1, to provide strength and safety.
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Price is another key factor to keep it affordable. Depending on features, the range is expected to be from $26,000 to $46,000.
The Aptera can be plugged in when driving long distances or when it's cloudy. A factory is being built in San Diego. The co-founders believe sales of 2,000 vehicles per year are viable with a goal of 10 times that many, especially as its develops a full fleet of models.