5.11 In-wheel motor maker, Elaphe, partners with solar EV companies

Elaphe Propulsion Technologies, a manufacturer of inwheel motors, announced in October 2022 that it has teamed up with Aptera Motors, a start-up building an ultraefficient solar electric vehicle (sEV).

Aptera says in-wheel motors offer numerous advantages over other propulsion systems, including enhanced aerodynamics, lighter overall vehicle weight and improved handling, all of which result in better mileage and safety.

In combination with Aptera’s low-drag aerodynamics and lightweight construction, Elaphe’s compact, high-torque in-wheel motors can reduce energy usage to less than 100 watt-hours per mile, four times lower than the average EV. Elaphe’s in-wheel motors have already been used in the smart fortwo, BMW X6 SUV, Audi R8, and 40 other vehicle platforms, including public transportation. Aptera’s goal is to build lightweight and aerodynamic vehicles powered by the sun that can handle most daily driving needs, completely off the grid and plans to begin production in 2023. in-wheel.com

In a similar move, Elaphe announced in June 2022 the successful results from its partnership with Lightyear, a developer of scalable, gridindependent sEVs. Together, the two companies have developed the most efficient production powertrain in the world, by pushing Elaphe’s proprietary electromagnetic layout to the extremes to achieve worldclass efficiencies. Lightyear 1 is insolvent, that car's production was stopped. Lightyear is trying to bring to market its Lightyear 2.

We at Elaphe are excited to have the opportunity to tap into our platform and work with visionaries at Aptera on accelerating their movement.