Click above for more images of the Aptera Typ1 e

Way back in September of 2006, Google.org, the philanthropic part of the Internet giant, announced that it would be investing in PHEVs. The following year, Google followed that bit of news up by launching its RechargeIT initiative which would begin investing in some for-profit manufacturers in an effort to see these fuel-saving products make it to market as quickly as possible. The first two investments from RechargeIT have now officially been announced, and at least one of the companies benefiting from the $2.75 million investment should be well known to our readers: Aptera.

We've been covering the futuristic new vehicle since it was first introduced, and its exciting to see the project mature to the point where people, in California at least, are anxiously awaiting the first electric Apteras to be delivered. This financing should only help matters as the company works to get its electric and hybrid vehicles to customers as quickly as possible.

The other company receiving some funding is known as ActaCell and is based in Austin, Texas. Based at the University of Texas, Actacel is hard at work refining its lithium ion battery technology with the goal of producing low cost, high output cells while retaining a high degree of safety. A tall order for sure, though one that could be made easier with its newfound cash outlay. We've pasted ActaCell's press release after the break. Thanks for the tip, Karen!


[Source: Google.org via Cleantech]

We've been following the progress of the Aptera Typ-1 since the beginning and it has been great to watch the car move from an early drawing to rough prototype to pre-production thing of beauty. We've watched it being test driven by Popular Mechanics (we're still jealous) and the L.A.Times (our turn, hello!!!) and reported its appearances in a Touchstone Energy TV commercial as well as the Star Trek film set. Best of all, it's about to go into production, meaning it's place on this particular list may be rather short. We hope so.


What's next? The Top 5.

Out of the 60+ teams signed up to potentially participate in the Progressive Automotive X Prize, there were four teams that brought cars to the big announcement at the New York Auto Show last week. One team we would have liked to see was Aptera with their Type I three-wheeler. But the vehicle was a no-show. But, and here's the crazy rumor part, a little bird told me that the reason for the absence was that the car was involved in some way with the new Star Trek movie. The look certainly fits and Boing Boing has a photo of the car on the set.

I've contacted Aptera to see if they had any official statement on this rumor, but the response has been silence. Perhaps our readers have a bit more information. Anyone?

If you read our previous update regarding the Aptera, you already know that the company is now taking deposits on their futuristic three-wheeled machine. I was able to get in contact with Steve Fambro, the man behind the Aptera, and I'll share some design and technical details in this post. With production of the Aptera expected to start in October, there are still some details that must remain confidential. But, the good news is that you are likely to get more information here than you've gotten anywhere else up to this point. Steve believes that aerodynamics will start to shape our vehicles in the future much more than they do now. Many who see the Aptera believe it looks much like an airplane, and this is no coincidence -- it's because the shape has been honed by the wind. So, in a way, Steve believes that the introduction of the Aptera marks a jump into the future of automotive design in more ways than just the alternative powertrain.

For the details on this exciting alternative to your mainstream automotive market, click past the break!

The last time the three-wheeled Aptera was featured on our site, we promised to keep you abreast of any new information that we found. Thanks to a tip from a reader named Matthew, we are pleased to let you know that Aptera is now accepting orders. Aptera has a Web site here, but there is not a great deal of information or raw-data to be found there. A better source of information is at their MySpace page, which is here. According to this article, Aptera is looking at around 300 miles per gallon along with acceptable performance numbers of about 11 seconds to sixty with a 95 mile per hour top-speed. Totally suitable for a commuter, wouldn't you say? Selling for less than $30,000 each, I can imagine that there would be quite a few takers. Other cool features of the car are the 360 degree visibility afforded by rear-mounted cameras and a solar powered air-conditioning system which will run on sunny days even when the car is turned off, keeping the vehicle comfortable. Awesome!

Weighing 850 pounds unloaded due to the composite structure, the hybrid diesel/electric Aptera should be classified as a motorcycle in most states. Looking very much like a "clipped" airplane, the name seems rather fitting; Aptera means "wingless" in Greek. We look forward to bringing you more information on this machine as soon as we can get it. Click past the break for a few videos of the machine in action!

For more on this new vehicle, be sure to check out our recent interview with Steve Fambro of Aptera!

Update: we've added a photo gallery. Click through to see the world's coolest pedals.

Related:

• Check out Accelerated Concepts Aptera. It's a car, not a spaceship.
• Aptera prototype can get over 300 mpg

Other amazing (and odd-looking) high-mileage vehicles:

• KTM X-Bow
• NARO
• VentureOne

[Source: Aptera via a tip from Matthew - thanks!]