Aptera gets a $2.75M infusion from Google
Google.org is investing in green car technology through its RechargeIt philanthropic program. The first two recipients are Aptera Motors and ActaCell. Aptera makes a cute 3 wheeled vehicle that gets 230 miles per gallon. ActaCell is a battery company hoping to make electric and hybrid cars cheaper and safer.
VentureBeat reports that both companies are getting $2.75M from RechargeIt. RechargeIt published the results of a test conducted on plug-in hybrids. The winner in the test was a modified Prius that would get over 90 mpg. The 230+ mpg Aptera beats all of the tested plug-in hybrids hands down.
The Aptera as previously reported, is classified as a motorcycle but contains safety features found in most cars. The air bags, seat belts, composite safety cage and reinforced sides and roof included in the Aptera, meet or exceed car safety standards.
This car has a distinctive aerodynamic shape that resembles a plane without wings or a tail. The futuristic shape helps the car to reach 230+ mpg. The car actually has two configurations. One is an all electric configuration that gets 120 miles per charge and the other is the 230 mpg hybrid.
Both the electric and hybrid version of the Aptera can reach speeds in excess of 85 mph. The car will also go from 0-60 in under 10 seconds. Both of which are admirable statistics for such a fuel efficient vehicle.
The $2.75M influx of money will hopefully bring the Aptera to market sooner than previously expected. With any luck, the $30,000 price tag may give a little as well.
ActaCell may just help the Aptera price dip with its innovative new lithium-ion batteries. ActaCell technology is based on lithium-ion technology developed by Professor Arumugam Manthiram in his Material Science and Engineering Technology lab at the University of Texas at Austin.
ActaCell is dedicated to bringing cheaper, longer lasting, and safer batteries to electric and hybrid cars which is why it is such a good fit with Aptera Motors. The funding on the part of Google through RechargeIt should help both companies to bring their products to market more quickly.
Aptera Motors and ActaCell are just the first two recipients of RechargeIt funds. Wonder what other companies will receive Google love?
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