Aptera Motors Corp., a solar mobility company advancing ultra-efficient transportation, has issued purchase orders for the major structural components of its first 40 vehicles. The orders represent a significant step in the company’s transition from validation builds toward production.

Aptera’s flagship vehicle is conceived as a solar electric vehicle that leverages breakthroughs in aerodynamics, materials science, and solar technology to achieve new levels of efficiency.

The purchase orders cover two of the vehicle’s largest structural assemblies: the body and the chassis, including its frame and suspension.

Unlike the validation vehicles Aptera built to test and refine its solar electric vehicle design, these components are intended for the company’s first production vehicles, which are expected to include the first vehicles delivered to customers.

Deliveries of body and chassis components are expected to begin in October, supporting Aptera’s plan to reach start of production. Aptera said it continues to execute on its financing plans to be able to fund the production ramp.

“Issuing purchase orders for body and chassis components intended for production vehicles is an important step as we work to move from validation to production,” said Chris Anthony, Co-CEO of Aptera. “These parts are intended for our first customer vehicles.”

Committing to these components reflects confidence in both the vehicle design and its supply chain, the company said. Aptera’s engineering team has spent recent months refining the body and chassis specifications based on learnings from its validation builds, and that work is now reflected in the production vehicle parts on order. Aptera has also received and taken into inventory solar cells for more than 100 vehicles, adding to the growing list of parts the Company has secured in preparation for production.

“Seeing our body and chassis suppliers reach these milestones on parts intended for production vehicles is an encouraging sign,” said Steve Fambro, Co-CEO of Aptera. “We continue to work with focus toward the start of production.”

Securing the Remaining Components

Aptera expects to secure the remaining components for its first vehicles in the coming months, supporting its plan to reach the start of production. The company also said it is working diligently to complete the necessary tests to secure final regulatory approvals to be able to sell its vehicles commercially.