I had the fantastic opportunity to talk with Aptera Co-Founder Chris Anthony on Friday. Our short half-hour conversation highlighted production timelines, vehicle design, sustainability, and more.
This weekend, Aptera is participating in the Fully Charged Show, an Electric Vehicle convention in San Diego, where they will be unveiling their Gamma vehicle. According to Co-CEO Chris Anthony, this vehicle is the last stop before attempting to enter production next year. And while the company has a long way before delivering orders, they have over 30,000 reservation holders eagerly awaiting the vehicle’s release.
Design language –
The first question I had to ask Mr. Anthony about was the design language of Aptera’s first vehicle. Specifically, what is Aptera attempting to make consumers think and feel when they see the car for the first time?
The first thing that came to the CEO’s mind was capability; he wants consumers to feel like Aptera is just as capable as any other vehicle and can even do more with its unique energy generation capabilities. When he has had the opportunity to have people sit in the vehicle, testers have stated that the vehicle is comfortable, and Mr. Anthony hopes the vehicle’s driving dynamics only further improve the experience.
Capability as a “do everything” vehicle –
Besides the Aptera’s beautiful design, many are looking to buy the Aptera for its function. Coming out of COVID lockdowns, many consumers have been spending more time outside the house, hiking and mountain biking, meeting with friends and family, and taking trips to local events and scenic locations. How has Aptera engineered capability into their vehicle to perform these tasks?
Mr. Anthony points to the car’s solar power generation and the surprising amount of interior space as two critical features in helping people use their vehicles in everyday life. The car’s numerous solar cells mean the vehicle can go further and do more things, which is the ultimate goal of capability. At the same time, the vehicle’s interior is surprisingly spacious, with seven feet of space behind the front seats to the tail; enough room to camp in the vehicle, throw in their mountain bikes, or just travel with their dog.
Customization –
A key part of how many people interact with vehicles today is how they make them their own, customizing the look, feel, and capabilities of the vehicle to best suit their needs. Aptera is not only in support of this goal but is actively working with third-party suppliers to make that dream a reality.
The CEO clarified that Aptera would be more than willing to supply third-party accessory makers with everything from dimensions to CAD files to detailed systems information. He says, “We are happy to share information to help our users find [the vehicle] to be more useful.” As he would note later in the interview, this stems from a “right to repair mindset.”
Possible use of the Tesla Connector –
Aptera previously announced that they were not only attempting to include the Tesla connector on their vehicle but also attempting to make the connector the U.S. standard EV connector. However, it remains unclear if Aptera will include the connector in the vehicle, and doubtful that the Tesla Connector would become the US standard.
Nonetheless, Mr. Anthony stood behind the engineering of the Tesla connector. Foremost, he cited the connector’s ease of use and smaller size, which makes it far easier to maneuver than other connector types. But the connector also benefits from supporting the vast majority of electric vehicles in the U.S.
The CEO even went as far as saying that the U.S. should be spending more money supporting Tesla supercharger locations as long as the government plans to expand EV charging anyway.
Aptera’s future goals –
It is clear that Aptera will be focused on getting to production and delivering to their over 30,000 reservation holders in the immediate future. But if the company can achieve these goals, where does the CEO see the company’s next focus?
First, Mr. Anthony doesn’t see the company abandoning the two-door/two-seater form factor. He argues that the Aptera is an ideal complimentary car, helping you complete your daily commute and essential activities that don’t require a lot of space.
Perhaps more excitingly, the CEO did hint at the possibility of multiple variants of the Aptera, a commercial version or a version with more cargo capacity, for instance. No other details are known about these ideas yet.
Production timeline –
With the unveiling of Aptera’s Gamma vehicle this weekend, the company will now be shifting to getting to production as soon as next year. And while the CEO acknowledged that the timeline might not be as fast as some have wanted, he believes in doing the process correctly the first time and hopefully avoiding future issues.
“We have the good graces of our reservation holders to do it right…”
With Aptera’s current production facility in California, they aim to produce 20,000 units within the first year, meaning that filling the 30,000 reservations will take roughly a year and a half. However, any prediction outside of the company is pure conjecture.
Sustainability –
Consumers now more than ever are looking to get the best option for them and the best choice for the planet. Automakers recognize this, and many produce vehicles with sustainable interior parts, recycled metal components, and more. What does the pursuit of sustainability look like for Aptera?
The most sustainable material on Earth is the material not mined, was the conclusion of Mr. Anthony. While others may have been looking to use more sustainable materials, Aptera has pointed itself at using fewer materials in the first place. Aptera achieves this by producing a smaller vehicle, pursuing low curb weight, and reducing the number of interior components.
The pursuit of lightweight sustainability has trickle-down effects as well. Because of the vehicle’s low weight, it requires less energy to move and hence can use fewer batteries to achieve the same range, once again reducing weight (a positive feedback loop).
Ultimately, Mr. Anthony notes that fewer rare earth minerals are mined, and the vehicle as a whole becomes a more sustainable option for consumers. More specifically, Aptera uses 30% of the metal found in a typical vehicle, uses recycled composite materials for its exterior body panels, and uses recycled cloth and plastics on the interior.
The long-term goal is to have these vehicles on the road 50 years from now via upgraded parts along the way; better batteries, improved solar cells, replaceable interior pieces, etc.
Efficiency and beauty –
Manufacturers worldwide have been using aerodynamics to improve efficiency since the car’s inception. But perhaps most recently, due to the limitations of battery capacity, this pursuit has resulted in finding the most efficient shape possible, arguably at the cost of design. While vehicles like the Lucid Air and Mercedes EQS may have been beautiful in previous years, with the introduction of the Volkswagen ID Aero, it is clear that manufacturers are willing to trade unoriginality for efficiency.
Mr. Anthony doesn’t think that this has to be the case. In his response to this issue, he notes that Aptera proves that new and exciting designs can still be made in different form factors while still achieving maximal efficiency.
Are smaller vehicles the future? –
Aptera has highlighted the numerous benefits of producing smaller form factor vehicles. They can be more efficient, reduce manufacturing costs, be more aerodynamic, and be more sustainable. But are these motivators enough to get Americans to buy smaller vehicles in the future?
The CEO doesn’t believe so. Americans are obsessed with huge vehicles, evidenced by exceptionally high SUV and Truck sales. But perhaps, if anything, Aptera can show Americans what future transportation could look like, and if they are willing to give it a chance, maybe it will even change hearts and minds.
Aptera CEO Chris Anthony was incredibly gracious in giving Teslarati a piece of his busy schedule. If you want to learn more about the company’s vehicle, go to their website. And if you happen to be in the San Diego area, it’s worth the trip to the Fully Charged Show to check out the Aptera booth and the numerous other manufacturers attending the event.
William is not an Aptera ambassador, order holder, or investor.
What do you think of the article? Do you have any comments, questions, or concerns? Shoot me an email at william@teslarati.com. You can also reach me on Twitter @WilliamWritin. If you have news tips, email us at tips@teslarati.com!
News
Tesla Model Y ownership review after six months: What I love and what I don’t
I pay about $25 more a month than I did for my Bronco Sport for my Tesla. It was a no-brainer to switch. Like any car, it isn’t perfect, but my Tesla has more things right than any other car I’ve owned, and that makes it truly incredible.
It has been just over six months since I took delivery of my Diamond Black Tesla Model Y Premium Long Range (at that time, it was called the Tesla Model Y Long Range All-Wheel-Drive).
In those six months, I have had the opportunity to experience true and pure electric vehicle ownership, what comes with it after driving a gas vehicle for my entire life, and, to be completely frank, there are not many things I would change.
My brand new ride! Thank you @tesla @elonmusk for building one badass car
Officially a battery boy pic.twitter.com/jzpMawmTZs
— Joey Klender (@KlenderJoey) August 30, 2025
Owning a Tesla was something I never thought I’d do until I owned a house, simply to take advantage of the advantage of home charging. However, I had to take the chance last year with the elimination of the $7,500 electric vehicle tax credit, as well as to avoid the mountainous stack of repair bills that were presenting themselves with my Ford Bronco Sport.
There are a lot of things I love about my Model Y, and there are a handful of things I wish I could change. In this piece, I plan to break down the ownership experience through about six months with my Tesla Model Y, hoping to provide you with enough insight to potentially make a change — or stick with what you have.
Things I Love About My Tesla Model Y
Driving Experience
Tesla really pushes Full Self-Driving and autonomy, but there are times that, as an owner, I feel I need to drive this car manually. Tesla put so much effort into the Model Y’s engineering and driving experience that it feels like a bit of a disservice to have it drive itself around all the time.
The suspension in this vehicle, as well as its ability to handle sharp corners, its quick acceleration, and its ability to hug the road at spirited speeds, is truly something you need to feel for yourself. I personally have never had a car that was truly geared toward driving this way. Other than a short-lived ownership experience with a Honda Civic a few years back (something I won’t ever do again), all of my vehicles have been SUVs or compact crossovers.
Credit: Joey Klender
Having a car that offers both a fun driving experience and cargo space is what the Model Y truly is all about. It’s a fun car to drive, but it also has a lot of functionality.
It is always a treat when it’s a little warmer out, I can roll the windows down, and take my Model Y to a tight back road in Pennsylvania to have some fun. I have never loved driving in the traditional sense. I don’t hate it, but it’s not necessarily “fun” to me, but that’s probably because I never had a car that was engineered to make the driving experience enjoyable.
This has truly changed my perspective on driving, and the Model Y is probably the second-most-fun car I’ve ever had the pleasure of driving. The first? The Tesla Model S.
Home Charging and Supercharging
Now, Home Charging is relatively new to me, and I covered my process for figuring that out in another article, which is linked here.
https://t.co/zJRwyQDcDE pic.twitter.com/AIhp21omh8
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) March 15, 2026
Waking up in the morning and having some additional range is really a great feeling — and with gas prices going through the stratosphere, the money I’m saving on gas is something quite special.
Supercharging is also a fun experience for me. Do I wish it were a faster experience? Sure. But there’s plenty to do in the car: Netflix, Hulu, Tesla Arcade, or head into whatever convenience store is nearby, use the restroom, and grab a bite to eat.
I have come to enjoy the evenings that I’ll head over to the Supercharger and plug my car in for half an hour before a longer drive the next day (if I didn’t plug in soon enough at home and need some fast-charging).
Tesla also added a new Supercharging “Wrapped” feature at the end of the year, gamifying the entire Supercharging experience. I’m excited to see all the places I’ve charged at the end of 2026.
Sporty, Clean, and Fun Interior
The interior of my Tesla is probably one of the most underrated features of my car, but it’s definitely my favorite. With vehicles I’ve purchased in the past, the big selling point is the inside for me, not the outside. Of course, I want my car to look good to others, but ultimately, I’m paying the payment and I’m spending 100% of the time I’m using the car on the inside of it.
…and I thought mine was bad https://t.co/xysshGcp2A pic.twitter.com/bsimX94DYH
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) February 22, 2026
This highlights the need for a comfy, cozy, and capable cabin that has all the features I could want. In Pennsylvania, we have cold winters and hot and humid summers. The Model Y has heated seats and a steering wheel, as well as A/C seats. The HVAC is incredibly capable, customizable, and comfortable for all passengers, allowing them to make adjustments wherever needed.
At night, the black interior coupled with the accent lighting makes for one of the coolest, spaceship-like interiors on the market. Tesla always called it a “Rave Cave,” and it truly feels like it.
Tech: From Full Self-Driving to Other Features
Tech is really the biggest part of owning a Tesla; it is so advanced that it almost feels like it’s not even a car. Full Self-Driving is obviously such a huge advantage, and I’ve talked about it in great detail, both positively and negatively.
I could write 1,000 words on FSD, but I don’t want to focus on it solely, because there are so many other things that need to be highlighted.
One thing Tesla really has over others is the ability to improve its cars continually. Simple features like a charging adjustment, new modes, or activating features that weren’t quite ready previously are all things Tesla has added through Over-the-Air updates.
I don’t know if I could pick just one as a favorite, but in the six months I’ve had my car, the most useful thing I’ve come across outside of FSD is Summon. While it is hit or miss a lot of the time, there are little features, like moving the car forward or back from the Tesla App, that are incredibly useful. Adjusting a park job, making snow shoveling around the car easier, or even moving the car slightly when I’m taking photos or video is incredibly seamless with this functionality.
Cargo and Interior Space
One of my big concerns when going from a Bronco Sport to a Model Y was cargo space, only to find out the Model Y has more space than the Bronco Sport. I always have something in the trunk, whether it is luggage, my golf bag, shoes, or groceries. I’ve never felt like I’ve needed more space in this car, although I’m sure that day will come when I get the boys together for a golf trip and I am driving.
I’ve packed luggage for my Fiancèe and a few of her friends on a trip to Disney with no issues. Four girls going to Disney for five days is a challenge that will frighten even the most capable vehicles. I had no issues.
But what is also great about the Model Y is that it has the room to do other things, like fit an entire mattress for camping. SNUUZU makes an amazing Tesla mattress that I have thrown in the car to watch sunsets. This Summer, I’ll do some camping with it.
It’s one of the many things about this car that I really love.
Things About My Tesla Model Y I Do Not Love
Winter Range
There’s no getting around the fact that owning this car without a faster charging option at home in the winter is truly frustrating. I was charging much more frequently in January and February than in any other month.
I took a 40-mile round-trip drive to grab some hot wings with friends in January. It took about 105 miles of range.
The cold weather was truly a frustrating time to own an EV, and my problems would have been solved with a Level 2 charger at home. Even still, the drives that were a few hours long were going to be fit with 10-15 minute stops to grab some range at a Supercharger.
Navigation
I really think that Tesla could have the best navigation out there. They always talk about licensing FSD, but if they were to license their Navigation software, I think it could overtake Apple Maps, Waze, and others. With a weather radar, live traffic updates, satellite imagery, and more, the Navigation system is truly the best around.
I’m just going to say it and I know I’ll get some hate for it, but v14.2.2.5 is the worst FSD release since v14.
Constantly in the wrong lane, a lot of weird maneuvers, so many additional nav errors, routing, speed control, parking, and that’s just to name a few.
v14.3 cannot…
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) March 30, 2026
However, the Navigation itself, meaning the routing, is absolutely abysmal. It doesn’t learn from mistakes, it doesn’t learn more ideal routing, and it doesn’t seem to improve at any point. It still tries to leave my neighborhood by turning left out of a right-turn-only exit. It routinely takes some of the most head-scratching routes to local destinations.
Consistently using the FSD disengage feature to report the problems to Tesla’s AI Team doesn’t seem to yield much of a result. It would be great if there were a “Learn” mode so that it could be less on Tesla to refine things, and the car would just learn automatically.
Cup Holders
This is a really trivial and nitpicky point of criticism, but boy, do these cupholders need to be larger. Many of my reusable water bottles do not fit in them, so I had to grab a $25 cup holder “adapter” from Amazon. It obstructs the center console from opening comfortably, but it is what it is. It fits standard cups, soft drink containers from fast food restaurants, and bottles of water, at least for the most part.
It would be nice if Tesla could think about something for the next Model Y refresh here, although I may be the only one to really complain about them.
Final Thoughts
I pay about $25 more a month than I did for my Bronco Sport for my Tesla. It was a no-brainer to switch. Like any car, it isn’t perfect, but my Tesla has more things right than any other car I’ve owned, and that makes it truly incredible.
Sometimes I am still baffled that this is my car. It feels crazy to drive something that is so far ahead of any other car I’ve driven. Three of my friends own Teslas now, all of us bought them at the same time last year, and all four of us don’t know if we’d ever consider going back.
🚨 Tesla Model Y 6 Month Ownership Review:
What I Love:
✅ Driving Experience
✅ Simplicity
✅ FSD
✅ Constant Improvement via OTA UpdatesWhat I Don’t Love:
🛑 Range in the Winter
🛑 When people who don’t pay my car payment tell me I shouldn’t own a Tesla pic.twitter.com/0zuI04iQMX— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) April 3, 2026
Elon Musk
Elon Musk’s Terafab project locks up massive new partner
Terafab, first revealed by Musk in March, is a massive joint-venture semiconductor complex planned for the North Campus of Giga Texas in Austin.
Elon Musk’s Terafab project just locked up a massive new partner, just weeks after the new project was announced by Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI, the three companies that will be direct benefactors from it.
In a landmark announcement on April 7, Intel joined Elon Musk’s Terafab project as a key partner alongside Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI. The collaboration focuses on refactoring silicon fabrication technology to deliver ultra-high-performance chips at unprecedented scale.
Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan hosted Musk at Intel facilities the prior weekend, underscoring the partnership’s momentum with a public handshake.
Intel is proud to join the Terafab project with @SpaceX, @xAI, and @Tesla to help refactor silicon fab technology.
Our ability to design, fabricate, and package ultra-high-performance chips at scale will help accelerate Terafab’s aim to produce 1 TW/year of compute to power… pic.twitter.com/2vUmXn0YhH
— Intel (@intel) April 7, 2026
Terafab, first revealed by Musk in March, is a massive joint-venture semiconductor complex planned for the North Campus of Giga Texas in Austin. Valued at $20–25 billion, it aims to consolidate the entire chip-making pipeline, design, fabrication, memory production, and advanced packaging in a single location. It should eliminate a majority of Tesla’s dependence on third-party chip fab companies.
The facility will manufacture two primary chip types: energy-efficient edge-inference processors optimized for Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) systems, Cybercab and Robotaxi, and Optimus humanoid robots, and high-power, radiation-hardened variants for SpaceX satellites and xAI’s orbital data centers.
Elon Musk launches TERAFAB: The $25B Tesla-SpaceXAI chip factory that will rewire the AI industry
The project’s audacious goal is to produce 1 terawatt (TW) of annual compute capacity, roughly 50 times current global AI chip output.
Production is expected to begin modestly and scale rapidly, addressing Musk’s warning that chip supply could soon become the biggest constraint on Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI growth. By vertically integrating manufacturing tailored to their exact needs, Terafab eliminates supply-chain bottlenecks and accelerates iteration for AI training, inference at the edge, and space-based computing.
Intel’s participation is strategically vital. The company will contribute expertise in advanced process technology, high-volume fabrication, and packaging to help Terafab achieve its aggressive targets. For Intel, the deal strengthens its foundry business and positions it as a critical U.S. player in the AI hardware race.
For Musk’s ecosystem, it secures domestic, purpose-built silicon at a time when global capacity meets only a fraction of projected demand for hundreds of millions of robots and orbital AI infrastructure.
This is the latest chapter in Intel-Tesla ties. In November 2025, Musk publicly stated at Tesla’s shareholder meeting that partnering with Intel on AI5 chips was “worth having discussions,” amid concerns about TSMC and Samsung capacity.
Exploratory talks followed, with Intel eyeing custom-AI opportunities. The Terafab integration transforms those conversations into concrete collaboration.
The Intel-Terafab alliance carries broader implications. It bolsters U.S. semiconductor sovereignty, drives innovation in cost- and power-efficient AI silicon, and supports Musk’s vision of exponential progress in autonomy, robotics, and space.
As AI compute demand surges, this partnership could reshape the industry, delivering the silicon backbone for a new era of intelligent machines on Earth and beyond.
Investor's Corner
Tesla stock gets hit with shock move from Wall Street analysts
Despite Tesla not being an automotive company exclusively, the Wall Street firms and analysts covering its shares are widely dialed in on its performance regarding quarterly deliveries. While it holds some importance, Tesla, from an internal perspective, is more focused on end-to-end AI, Robotaxi, self-driving, and its Optimus robot.
Tesla price targets (NASDAQ: TSLA) have received several cuts over the past few days as Wall Street firms are adjusting their forecast for the company’s stock following a miss in quarterly delivery figures for the first quarter.
Despite Tesla not being an automotive company exclusively, the Wall Street firms and analysts covering its shares are widely dialed in on its performance regarding quarterly deliveries. While it holds some importance, Tesla, from an internal perspective, is more focused on end-to-end AI, Robotaxi, self-driving, and its Optimus robot.
In a notable shift underscoring mounting caution on Wall Street, three prominent investment banks slashed their price targets on Tesla Inc. shares over the past two weeks following the electric-vehicle giant’s disappointing first-quarter 2026 delivery numbers. The revisions highlight softening EV sales figures and, according to some, execution challenges.
Tesla delivered 358,023 vehicles in the January-to-March period, a 14 percent sequential decline and a miss versus consensus forecasts of roughly 365,000 to 370,000 units.
Production hit 408,000 vehicles, yet the delivery shortfall, paired with limited updates on autonomous-driving progress and new-model timelines, rattled investors. Shares fell about 8.7 percent since April 1.
Wall Street analysts are now adjusting their forecasts accordingly, as several firms have made adjustments to price targets.
Goldman Sachs
Goldman Sachs cut its target from $405 to $375 while maintaining a Hold rating. Analyst Mark Delaney pointed to soft EV sales trends and margin pressures.
Truist Financial followed on April 2, lowering its target from $438 to $400 (Hold unchanged), with analyst William Stein citing misses in both auto deliveries and energy-storage deployments, plus a lack of fresh details on AI initiatives and upcoming vehicles.
It is a strange drop if using AI initiatives and upcoming vehicles as a justification is the primary focus here. Tesla has one of the most optimistic outlooks in terms of AI, and CEO Elon Musk recently hinted that the company is developing something for the U.S. market that will be good for families.
Baird
Baird’s Ben Kallo made a very modest trim, reducing its target from $548 to $538, keeping and maintaining the ‘Outperform’ rating it holds on shares. Kallo said the price target adjustment was a prudent recalibration tied to near-term risks.
Truist
Truist analyst William Stein pointed to deliveries and energy storage missing expectations, and cut his price target to $400 from $438. He maintained the ‘Hold’ rating the firm held on the stock previously.
JPMorgan
Adding to the bearish tone on Monday, April 6, JPMorgan’s Ryan Brinkman reiterated an Underweight (Sell) rating and $145 price target, implying roughly 60 percent downside from recent levels.
Brinkman highlighted a “record surge in unsold vehicles” that adds to free-cash-flow woes, with inventory swelling to an estimated 164,000 units.
Tesla’s comfort level taking risks makes the stock a ‘must own,’ firm says
He lowered his Q1 2026 EPS estimate to $0.30 from $0.43 and full-year 2026 EPS to $1.80 from $2.00, both below consensus. Brinkman noted that expectations for Tesla’s performance have “collapsed” across financial and operating metrics through the end of the decade, yet the stock has risen 50 percent, and average price targets have increased 32 percent.
This disconnect, he argued, prices in an unrealistic sharp pivot to stronger results beyond the decade, while near-term realities remain materially weaker.
He advised investors to approach TSLA shares with a “high degree of caution,” citing elevated execution risk, competition, and valuation concerns in lower-price, higher-volume segments.
The revisions have pulled the overall consensus lower. Aggregators show the average 12-month price target now ranging from approximately $394 to $416 across roughly 32 analysts, with a prevailing Hold rating and a mixed split of Buy, Hold, and Sell recommendations.
Brinkman’s $145 target stands as a notable outlier on the bearish side.
Not Everyone Has Turned Bearish on Tesla Shares
Not all firms turned more pessimistic. Wedbush Securities held its bullish $600 target, stressing that AI and full self-driving technology represent the core value drivers, with current delivery softness viewed as temporary.
These moves reflect a broader Wall Street recalibration: near-term EV demand faces pressure from high interest rates, intensifying competition, especially from lower-cost Chinese rivals, and slower adoption.
At the same time, many analysts continue to see Tesla’s technology leadership in software-defined vehicles, autonomy, robotaxis, and energy storage as pathways to outsized long-term gains once macro conditions ease and new models launch.
With Tesla’s first-quarter earnings report due later this month, upcoming details on cost discipline, Cybertruck ramp-up, and AI roadmaps will likely shape whether these target adjustments prove prescient or overly cautious. Investors remain divided between immediate delivery realities and the company’s ambitious vision.
Tesla shares are trading at $348.82 at the time of publishing.
Tesla Model Y ownership review after six months: What I love and what I don’t
Elon Musk’s Terafab project locks up massive new partner
