3-Wheel EV Maker Aptera Calls April Press Conference to Discuss Future

3-Wheel EV Maker Aptera Calls April Press Conference to Discuss Future

Look for San Diego-based Aptera, which contracted significantly late last year amid a funding drought, to announce either a new round of private financing or significant progress on its application for a federal advanced tech vehicles loan when it hosts a press conference at its headquarters next month.

The company isn't saying anything about funding yet, but has slated the April 14 session at the McLellan-Palomar Airport's "Premier Jet Terminal" to discuss product and production updates, including suppliers, and to introduce the "production-intent" battery-electric Aptera 2e.

The new prototype is expected to feature several significant changes from the version - pictured- that we tested almost 13 months ago. Those changes will include roll-down side windows and taller doors, improved aerodynamics, a larger rear window, different headlamps and stiffer body panels.  

In November, the company furloughed a quarter of its workforce and said it was delaying launch of the three-wheeled, airplane-like Aptera 2e until sometime this year because a private funding drive had been slowed to a crawl by the deep global recession.

At the same time, Aptera said it would refile its application for a federally guaranteed loan of something more than $75 million to finance further product development and outfitting of its production facility. 

The company's original application was denied because the law approving the loan program applied only to four-wheel vehicles. But several members of Congress sought and obtained a change to extend loan eligibility to manufacturers of three-wheeled electric vehicles as well.

John O'Dell:  is an AutoObserver Senior Editor. Follow @AutoObserver on Twitter.