Aptera Motors, the firm responsible for the eco-friendly Typ-1, has just received a $42 million investment courtesy of Google.org.
The philanthropic division of the search engine giant chose Aptera, along with battery manufacturer ActaCell, as recipients for its "RechargeIT" grant. Aimed to further the development of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, ReChargeIT awards funding to companies Google.org feels are advancing the state-of-the-art in either field.
In Aptera's case, it may be both. It's Typ-1, a teardrop-shaped three-wheel commuter car, is designed to use either an electric or a hybrid-electric drivetrain. Made almost entirely of carbon fiber, the electric Typ-1e can reportedly travel 120 miles on a single charge of its 10 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack.
While the hybrid version (Typ-1h) is forthcoming, the Typ-1e is expected to reach consumers by late 2008, carrying a sticker price of just over $29,000. Due to service constraints, Aptera is limiting initial sales to the southern California area.
Source: VentureBeat