Bloomberg Businessweek Podcast Summary

Episode: Aptera Eyes Mass Production of Unique Solar Car
Date: December 12, 2025
Hosts: Carol Massar and Tim Stenovec
Guest: Chris Anthony, Co-CEO of Aptera Motors

Episode Overview

This episode centers on Aptera Motors—a solar car company based in Carlsbad, California—and its journey from startup to near-production of a radically efficient, solar-powered, three-wheeled vehicle. Carol and Tim interview Chris Anthony, Aptera’s co-CEO, about the company's technology, unique design, market challenges, the regulatory landscape, and ambitions to revolutionize clean transportation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Aptera’s Progress and Production Plans

• Current Status: Aptera is in final validation, aiming for full production in 2026.
  • Chris Anthony (03:16): “Yeah, [Ap]terra is currently in final validation and we're looking to press into full production in 2026. And it's just exciting to see the vehicle come together and see solar mobility finally on the road.”

2. Policy Environment and Incentives

• The current U.S. administration might not appear strongly "pro-solar car," but important tax incentives exist, particularly for domestic manufacturers.
  • Carol (03:29): “…the current Zeitgeist is not what you’d consider pro solar car … On the other hand, they've given you a ton of what I must believe are very incentivizing tax rules…especially if you’re going to manufacture in this country, which you are, right?”
• Supply Chain Shift: Aptera is transitioning battery pack production from Korea to the U.S. with state support.
  • Chris Anthony (04:39): “We partnered with LG Chem and a company called CTNS in Korea to make our battery packs. But we're bringing the cell manufacturer over to Tennessee and bringing the equipment over to … Carlsbad, California. That's been assisted by a California Energy Commission grant…”

3. Design Philosophy: Efficiency First

• Aptera began by focusing on maximum efficiency, not traditional market studies, resulting in a unique vehicle.
  • Chris Anthony (05:17): “Most companies start with a minimum viable product … But that's not really where we started. We started with how do we make the most efficient transportation possible. And then it became this solar powered masterpiece…”

4. Market Reception

• Aptera has generated significant interest, with almost 50,000 pre-orders.
  • Chris Anthony (05:41): “…within the first couple weeks of announcing it, we had over 4,000 orders. Now we have almost 50,000 orders for the Aptera.”

5. Performance and Usability

• Range: Standard model offers 400 miles plus solar range; extended versions up to 1,000 miles.
  • Chris Anthony (06:12): “The standard version … gets 400 miles of range, plus it gets the solar charging … We…offer larger range models…up to a thousand miles of range.”
• Charging: Solar panel allows up to 40 miles/day of “free” solar driving—sufficient for most daily commutes.
• Unique Features:
  • Three wheels for reduced resistance and weight; classified as a motorcycle but doesn’t require a motorcycle license or helmet (California regulation).
  • Aerodynamics: 60–70% of fuel at highway speeds is lost to air drag in normal cars—Aptera is designed to minimize this.
    • Chris Anthony (06:52): “…we started with aerodynamics … That's why it looks more like a fish than a box…”

6. Driving Experience

• Quiet Ride: Exceptionally quiet due to aerodynamics.
  • Chris Anthony (08:19): “It's a pleasure to drive. It's super, super quiet. It's kind of eerily quiet because a lot of the noise you hear … is wind noise buffeting off the vehicle at higher speeds … Aptera cuts through the wind so nicely…”
• Performance: 0-60 mph in 5 seconds, top speed 100 mph. Draws attention wherever it goes.
• Regulatory Advantage: Only EV now eligible for California’s HOV lane with no restrictions (due to unique classification).

7. Adventure and Storage

• Off-Grid Use: Equipped for outdoor recreation and camping; 35 cubic feet of storage (up to seven feet long)—capable of holding surfbords, mountain bikes, camping kit.
  • Chris Anthony (09:25): “…you can camp two people comfortably … you can drive 200 miles to your favorite camping spot … and you can come back with more energy in your Aptera than you left with … It’s really a whole new vehicle category. A vehicle that creates its own fuel.”

8. Company Background and Resilience

• Aptera has roots back to 2006; after liquidation, it relaunched twice.
  • Chris Anthony (10:58): “I met Steve Fanbro in 2005. He had a vision for how to make vehicles more efficient … So how would you make the most efficient vehicle possible? And that's what Steve and I set out to bring advanced engineering to…”
  • Result: A 3-wheel, 2,000-pound electric car with 350 MPGe and practical daily solar recharging, sometimes never needing to plug in.

9. Suitability and Target Use Cases

• Versatility: Intended for more than just commuting; suitable for errands, family shopping, and local travel.
• Sizing: Comfortable for tall users up to 6’8” (important to host and listeners).

10. Growth Ambitions and Tesla Comparison

• Aptera aims to deliver 1 million vehicles in the first 10 years (Tesla took 13 years for the same milestone).
  • Chris Anthony (13:54): “We've got almost 50,000 orders, but we hope to deliver up to a million Aptera in the next 10 years. It took Tesla 13 years to deliver their millionth vehicles…”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On crowd reactions:
  • Chris Anthony (08:19): “If you are an introvert, maybe this is not the vehicle for you initially because any Starbucks that you pull up to, you're gonna bring a crowd.”
• On the promise of solar mobility:
  • Chris Anthony (09:25): “It's really a whole new vehicle category. A vehicle that creates its own fuel—there's never been anything like it…you’re also purchasing a lifetime’s worth of fuel with it.”
• On upending the industry:
  • Chris Anthony (10:58): “If you really tackle the problem from a first engineering principles perspective…you end up with a vehicle that looks more like a fish…”
• On future outlook:
  • Chris Anthony (13:54): “We hope to deliver up to a million Aptera in the next 10 years. It took Tesla 13 years to deliver their millionth vehicles. We hope to do it in 10.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:16] – Aptera production status and 2026 timeline
• [04:39] – Shifting battery/supply chain to U.S. production
• [05:17] – Philosophy behind Aptera’s design
• [05:41] – Pre-orders: initial 4,000 to nearly 50,000
• [06:12] – Range and solar charging explanation
• [06:52] – Unique aerodynamic 3-wheel design
• [08:19] – Driving experience and attention the car attracts
• [09:25] – Off-grid/camping capabilities
• [10:58] – Company’s iterative history and engineering-first approach
• [13:54] – Order backlog and 10-year target of 1 million vehicles

Conclusion

This episode offers a thorough look at how Aptera Motors is blending ultra-efficient vehicle design, solar technology, and startup perseverance to disrupt the EV landscape with a vehicle that promises to save consumers from ever plugging in or buying gas—all with striking aesthetics and practicality for everyday life. Chris Anthony’s vision, the technical details, and the company’s ambitious goals make for an engaging discussion about the future of clean transportation.