Suppliers

[Ron Miller]

I would really like to know where Aptera is getting their batteries from. Maybe I missed it somewhere – if anyone knows please post. Other suppliers would also be interesting to know. Thanks

[kerbe2705]

Re. battery cells they’ve never said. Motors come from Elaphe in Slovenia, UI comes from Crank Software in Canada, body shells are currently being molded in Reno, NV, and they’ve mentioned working with a company in Japan to develop the driver assistance software package.

[Jeff Sampson]

I would like to know what Aptera is doing for glass and solar cells. Are they using gorilla glass?? Do the glazings meet all FMVSS requirements?

[Alain Chuzel]

Everything I’ve seen in Aptera videos and such would strongly indicate the cells are SunPower/Maxeon Gen 3.

[Harry Parker]

As to the glass, Steve Fambro said in a video recently, “just ordinary automotive glass.”

So don’t try bouncing any large ball bearings off of the windows.

[Jeff Sampson]

You’d think they’d be using something a little more high-tech that “ordinary automotive glass”. No???? Ordinary automotive glass is not exactly the strongest/lightest material out there.

[Alain Chuzel]

Check out the dialog between Mr. Fambro and Mr. Leno at the 10:23 mark of this video:

I get the sense that Aptera would be interested in something other than “ordinary automotive glass” too….

[Peter Jorgensen]

[Peter Jorgensen]

disregard

[G Johns]

I’m thinking whatever batteries are originally installed will slowly change as better tech becomes available.

[Curtis Cibinel]

Long term lfp is a great fit for the base and 400 mile version. This will simplify suspension since it will get the models more close in weight. Probably will take 1-2 years as it’s very different engineering.

[Pistonboy Delux]

At one time, one of the cofounders said the batteries came from LG Chem.

However, if you look at this video at time 13:00 the batteries have Samsung printed on the side of them.

https://youtu.be/69_iKArvJBk?t=780

[Harry Parker]

They are building their own batteries of their own lightweight design. They have stated they are testing standard battery cells from different manufacturers. The cells in the alpha versions may not be the cells used in production. Who knows — they may even be from multiple qualifiied sources to help ensure a sufficient supply.

[John Trotter]

I doubt they are building batteries. There are plenty of suppliers willing to sell batteries to an up-and-coming e-vehicle builder. However, they certainly do need to built their own battery packs and, perhaps, BMS (battery management system). That can be their secret sauce.

[Jeff Sampson]

I got “a guy” for that….

[John Malcom]

Aptera has a proprietary format for battery packs assembled from the same batteries in Tesla Model 3’s (Size 2170). They will buy the batteries and assemble the packs as their process is faster and more efficient therefore less expensive and time consuming.

Great for us too have it done faster and cheaper.

Glad there is a consistent emphasis on efficiency!!!!!!!

Before you ask, I don’t know the supplier or if the batteries will be the newer LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate)

[Curtis Cibinel]

I’ve not heard of any vehicles using cylindrical LFP but they do apparently do exist. I found these 21650 (slightly shorter than Tesla 2170(0) batteries). I did the math on these cells and the density is 110 wh/kg – some might be better. https://www.batteryspace.com/a123-lifepo4-26650-rechargeable-cell-3-3v-2500-mah-50a-rate-8-25wh-anr26650m1b—un38-3-passed-and-iec-listed.aspx

At the current scale Aptera is likely wanting to keep it simple with one battery format and supplier (likely NCA to allow for the 1000 mile range). As they scale new batteries may be used but I suspect they would prioritize cylindrical as anything else is a massive redesign.

PS: Ignore the price. That is when buying individual cells online for very specific small scale applications like RC cars. The point is the option exists and companies are making them.