# Powering cars with solar energy with Steve Fambro of Aptera Motors

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2023-08-03
- Length: 39m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-08-03-powering-cars-with-solar-energy-with-steve-fambro-of-aptera-motors

## Summary

Steve Fambro, co-founder and co-CEO of Aptera Motors, explains how he revived the solar electric vehicle company after its 2011 bankruptcy. He details the vehicle's unique three-wheel design, carbon fiber composite construction, and ability to gain up to 40 miles of range from solar energy alone. Fambro discusses the technical challenges of bending solar cells for curved surfaces, the shift from the original three-wheel prototype to a production-ready model, and the company's current Series B fundraising and certification progress.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-08-03-powering-cars-with-solar-energy-with-steve-fambro-of-aptera-motors#t=0) Introduction: Steve Fambro and the Aptera Concept
- [1:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-08-03-powering-cars-with-solar-energy-with-steve-fambro-of-aptera-motors#t=100) Origin Story: Aerodynamics and the Ford F-150
- [4:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-08-03-powering-cars-with-solar-energy-with-steve-fambro-of-aptera-motors#t=259) Early Prototyping: Chris Anthony and Idealab
- [9:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-08-03-powering-cars-with-solar-energy-with-steve-fambro-of-aptera-motors#t=547) Founding Decisions and Leaving the Company
- [15:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-08-03-powering-cars-with-solar-energy-with-steve-fambro-of-aptera-motors#t=938) The 2007 Launch and Subsequent Bankruptcy
- [23:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-08-03-powering-cars-with-solar-energy-with-steve-fambro-of-aptera-motors#t=1439) Relaunching Aptera: New Batteries and Solar Strategy
- [31:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-08-03-powering-cars-with-solar-energy-with-steve-fambro-of-aptera-motors#t=1918) Manufacturing: Carbon Fiber Composites and CPC
- [35:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-08-03-powering-cars-with-solar-energy-with-steve-fambro-of-aptera-motors#t=2139) Solar Technology, Pricing, and Future Outlook

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Batteries & low-power design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/batteries-and-low-power)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Aptera Motors (company)
- Ford F-150 (product)
- Idealab (company)
- Tesla (company)
- Fisker (company)
- Rivian (company)
- Kia (company)
- Hyundai (company)
- CPC (company)

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## Citing this page

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