# Powering cars with solar energy with Steve Fambro of Aptera Motors (2023)

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2024-02-15
- Length: 39m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-02-15-powering-cars-with-solar-energy-with-steve-fambro-of-aptera-motors-2023

## Summary

Steve Fambro, co-founder and co-CEO of Aptera Motors, explains how he revived the solar car company after its 2011 bankruptcy by leveraging new battery efficiency to achieve 1,000 miles of range. Fambro details the vehicle's shark-like aerodynamic design, carbon fiber composite construction via a high-throughput Italian process, and the integration of solar panels to provide up to 40 miles of daily range. He discusses the strategic decision to focus on extreme efficiency over raw battery size, the challenges of regulatory compliance for a three-wheeled vehicle, and the company's current Series B funding status ahead of production deliveries.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-02-15-powering-cars-with-solar-energy-with-steve-fambro-of-aptera-motors-2023#t=0) Introduction: Steve Fambro and the Aptera Motors Origin Story
- [2:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-02-15-powering-cars-with-solar-energy-with-steve-fambro-of-aptera-motors-2023#t=126) The Commuter's Epiphany: Aerodynamics and the Ford F-150
- [4:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-02-15-powering-cars-with-solar-energy-with-steve-fambro-of-aptera-motors-2023#t=285) Early Prototyping: Idealab, Chris Anthony, and the First Mark One
- [11:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-02-15-powering-cars-with-solar-energy-with-steve-fambro-of-aptera-motors-2023#t=660) The First Company: TED Conference, Deposits, and Professional Management
- [19:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-02-15-powering-cars-with-solar-energy-with-steve-fambro-of-aptera-motors-2023#t=1163) The 2011 Bankruptcy: DOE Loan Issues and Asset Liquidation
- [24:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-02-15-powering-cars-with-solar-energy-with-steve-fambro-of-aptera-motors-2023#t=1452) The Relaunch: New Batteries, 1,000 Mile Range, and Solar Strategy
- [32:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-02-15-powering-cars-with-solar-energy-with-steve-fambro-of-aptera-motors-2023#t=1930) Manufacturing Innovation: CPC Composite Process and Carbon Fiber Body
- [34:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-02-15-powering-cars-with-solar-energy-with-steve-fambro-of-aptera-motors-2023#t=2075) Production Plans: Series B Funding, Safety Certification, and Pricing

## 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)
- [Certification & compliance](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/certification-and-compliance)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Aptera Motors (company)
- Ford F-150 (product)
- Idealab (company)
- Chris Anthony (other)
- Epic Boats (company)
- Tesla (company)
- Fisker (company)
- Rivian (company)
- Kia (company)
- Chevy (company)
- Hyundai (company)
- CPC (company)
- U.S. Bank (company)

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## Citing this page

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