Learn how our ambassadors are helping us drive solar mobility forward.
It was the design of the vehicle that initially drew me to Aptera. It definitely piqued my interest. I saw a video on YouTube about a year ago and was immediately drawn to the concept. I was born in England and vividly recalled many unique three-wheeled cars, including the Reliant Robin, The Bond Bug and Morgan 3 Wheeler. The range of the Aptera is something I find very intriguing, and I really am excited by the prospects of its solar capabilities.
I started my career as an apprentice marine engineer with the British Army at the Army Apprentice College, Beachley. This eventually led to me becoming a steam engineer, and from here, I got involved in turbines. I also worked at General Electric and got involved in automated train systems and, eventually, renewable energy. My friend brought me on board Siemens Canada because he felt I’d be a good project manager.
Among the many things I was involved with, I am most proud of my work with the Saskatchewan government. It was a massive solar power project that featured a number of obstacles. Finding resolutions and promoting changes to the design was intellectually stimulating. Thankfully, the team was able to work with me to overcome all the challenges, and we delivered the project on time.
My partner, Lydia, currently drives an electric Kia Soul. This car is currently unavailable in the USA and is quite rare here in Canada. It’s a beautiful little car with a stated range of about 350 to 375 kilometres. The record we’ve hit this past summer has been 507. We both enjoy what affects the range – using minimal heat vs using only seat heaters. It’s been a huge adventure trying to find places to charge the car. Some places we find don’t have charging cables attached to the units.
I am very interested in promoting the idea of solar electric vehicles. One of the critical objections to BEVs that many people have, particularly north of the Greater Toronto Area, is the lack of charging infrastructure. It is a major concern of where to charge their car on trips north, an area of great attractions and cottage country. Here in Ontario, the government isn’t doing much to improve the charging infrastructure. Having a vehicle that can be charged by the power of the sun is a great way to counter people’s resistance and is absolutely revolutionary.
I’d like to know more about Aptera’s plans for Canada. I work as a ski patroller all winter, and I am out before the snow ploughs hit. I have put a deposit on a vehicle and can’t wait to see how it performs in the snow. To be a truly useful ambassador, I really want to know how Aptera will be distributed, serviced and supported and what infrastructure will be in place for the vehicles as they are delivered. The best thing an Ambassador could have in their toolbox is the Aptera they drive.
Written by Michael Brooke
Over 700 global volunteers make up our dedicated Brand Ambassador Program. Aptera Ambassadors are sEV enthusiasts and leaders that play a fundamental role in the spread of Aptera’s mission: to create the most efficient transportation on the planet. In this series, you’ll discover who our ambassadors are, what attracted them to Aptera, and what it means to be an Aptera ambassador.