Aptera Motors informed Teslarati that it reached a significant milestone, successfully completing the first test drive of its production-intent Solar Electric Vehicle (EV). The company will use data from its successful test drive for real-world validation.
“Driving our first production-intent vehicle marks an extraordinary moment in Aptera’s journey,” said Steve Fambro, Aptera’s Co-Founder & Co-CEO. “It demonstrates real progress toward delivering a vehicle that redefines efficiency, sustainability, and energy independence.”
Aptera’s first drive test validated its proprietary battery pack, which works with its EMR3 powertrain. Aster’s Solar EV uses Vitesco Technologies EMR3 drivetrain. Earlier this year, the company announced a collaboration with Vitesco Technologies to meet its desired schedule launch.
Aptera had originally wanted to launch its Solar EV with an in-wheel motor solution. However, the time required to develop an in-wheel motor solution did not align with its projected launch date for customer deliveries. By using Vitesco Technologies EMR3 drivetrains, Aptera ensured its Solar EV deliveries would start by 2025.
“Aptera’s production-intent models will continue to evolve, with additional production parts and functionality integrated and tested over time. As each feature is validated, Aptera will continue to test the vehicle’s systems in progressively challenging and high-speed settings, paving the way for a fully tested, validated production vehicle ready for deliveries to the company’s nearly 50,000 pre-order reservation holders,” told Teslarati.
The company plans to release the first Solar Electric Vehicle that requires zero charging. Unlike other electric vehicles, Aptera’s Solar EVs will charge directly from the sun through solar panels. Customers may choose between four solar power technologies to charge their cars: 1) Solar Roof + Dash, 2) Solar Hood, 3) Solar Rear Hatch, and 4) All Panels.
Aptera aims to release three different Solar EV builds by the time of launch. Prices for the vehicles have Aptera’s Solar EV start at $26,800, based on its configuration page. The base model has a battery pace with a range of 250 miles and a daily solar charge capacity of 40 miles. The company accepts preorders for its Solar EV with a down payment of $100.
Aptera’s prices are subject to change. The company expects to publish official Solar EV prices closer to its launch.
If you have any tips, contact me at maria@teslarati.com or via X @Writer_0100110.

Elon Musk
Tesla is building a new UFO-inspired Supercharger in the heart of Alien country

Tesla is planning to build a new UFO-inspired Supercharger in the heart of Alien country — Roswell, New Mexico.
Back in 1947, a crash of debris led to rumors of an alleged crash of a UFO just 75 miles north of Roswell near Corona, New Mexico. The crash was officially noted as the recovery of a military balloon, but over the years, speculation persists that the “flying disc” many saw might have been extraterrestrials trying to make contact with Earth.
As a result of the 1947 crash, Roswell has adopted it and used it as the inspiration for much of its tourism. As Tesla is planning to build a Supercharger in the area, it is using the same sort of inspiration for the location, which will feature just eight charging stalls located under a CyberCanopy.
It was first spotted by MarcoRP, a noted Supercharger permit insider:
A new Supercharger is coming soon to Roswell, New Mexico!!
Tesla is currently planning a Cyber-UFO themed station at the Whataburger on N Main St.
The site will feature 8 charging stalls, located under a CyberCanopy with RGB fixtures and a 20.88kW solar array. pic.twitter.com/4BOyM1iuTx
— MarcoRP (@MarcoRPi1) April 2, 2025
Here are some better pictures of the design:
- Credit: MarcoRP | X
- Credit: MarcoRP | X
Tesla’s Head of Charging for North America, Max de Zegher, confirmed that the site will be inspired by the events near Roswell in 1947. He noted that Tesla “wants to build a few Superchargers cool enough to be worth of the trip itself.”
This will undoubtedly be one of those locations, and along with the Tesla Drive-in Diner Supercharger in Santa Monica, it seems the company could be moving toward some more unique designs for the future, making the charging experience more fun and interesting for owners:
We want to build a few Superchargers cool enough to be worthy of the trip itself. Wish we could have kept it under wraps for longer, but submittal was needed for Planning Approval. We can’t hide anything from @MarcoRPi1! 🙂 pic.twitter.com/X2WaKDd408
— Max de Zegher (@MdeZegher) April 2, 2025
Elon Musk
This Tesla vandal caused thousands in damage, but she was let off the hook: Here’s why

A Tesla vandal in Bloomington, Minnesota, caused $3,200 in damages to a car after keying it. However, the local police department, as well as the owner of the Tesla, let her off the hook.
As a Tesla sat in the parking lot of a Cub Foods grocery store, it was damaged in an act of vandalism that we are unfortunately seeing all too frequently. Police managed to locate the woman responsible for the damage, aiming to hold her responsible for the scrapes she applied to the vehicle.
However, in an act that many might not be able to perform, the owner of the Tesla did not want to pursue any criminal charges. Instead, they just wanted their car fixed.
Police Chief Booker Hodges said (via Minnesota Star Tribune):
“The victim in this case just wanted their car fixed, and they just wanted the suspect to pay for that. Based on the totality of the circumstances here, and along with our core value of being compassionate, this is the best outcome for everybody involved in this case.”
It was an incredible act of forgiveness, as many of those who have had their Teslas damaged in response to CEO Elon Musk likely would not have been able to do the same thing. One person who had their vehicle keyed filed a civil lawsuit against the vandal, who damaged their car while it was parked at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, seeking $1 million in damages.
Chief Hodges finished his remarks about this specific situation by calling out the leaders who have spread a hateful narrative about Musk and Tesla, and the company’s vehicle owners as well:
“We need our leaders to start leading and stop feeding this rhetoric. People should be able to drive whatever car they want without fear of going into a store and someone scratching their car or people yelling at them because of the car that … they choose to drive. It’s time for all of us, you know, just to start getting along and knock this stuff off, man. People should be able to be left alone.”
While Chief Hodges did not mention anyone specifically, Minnesota politician and former VP candidate Tim Walz said earlier this month that he “gets a boost” when Tesla stock falls. He later retracted his statement by stating it was just a joke.
News
Tesla Model Y tops Norway sales despite low Q1 delivery results
The new Model Y ended March as Norway’s top-selling vehicle for the month, with 1,819 units sold.

Tesla did not meet delivery expectations in the first quarter of 2025, and a huge reason behind this was the changeover to the new Model Y in Giga Texas, the Fremont Factory, Giga Shanghai, and Giga Berlin.
Despite Tesla’s disappointing Q1 vehicle delivery results, the new Model Y still made a significant impact in key markets such as Norway.
The new Model Y’s Norway Comeback
While sales of the new Model Y in January and February were low in Norway, the vehicle saw a lot of momentum as soon as deliveries of the updated all-electric crossover started. This resulted in the new Model Y ending March 2025 as Norway’s top-selling vehicle for the month, with 1,819 units sold.
Over the course of Q1 2025, Tesla was able to sell a total of 2,792 Model Y units. That was enough to also make the all-electric crossover Norway’s best-selling vehicle in the first quarter. This is quite an impressive feat for Tesla, especially since sales were throttled during the quarter due to the company’s changeover to the new Model Y.
Tesla in Other European Markets
Tesla’s results in Europe during the first quarter were a mixed bag. In Germany alone, Tesla saw 4,935 vehicles sold in Q1 2025. As per the German road traffic agency KBA, Tesla’s sales in March dropped 42.5% to 2,229 units year-over-year. This was despite overall EV registrations rising 35.3% during the month.
In Italy, new vehicle registrations rebounded 51% in March from the previous year to 2,217 units, as per data from the Transport Ministry. This is still quite impressive considering that Tesla has become a very polarizing carmaker in Europe, thanks in no small part to CEO Elon Musk’s politics and close relation to U.S. President Donald Trump.
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