(Solar) power to the people! Aptera re-opens its crowdfunding program

We hinted at it last month, and it’s now official – Aptera Motors has re-opened its crowdfunding program, giving fans and believers in the startup’s solar electric vehicle technology the opportunity to invest and help it reach scaled production.

Well, that didn’t take long. After announcing an end to its crowdfunding program in May 2024, Solar EV startup Aptera is once again turning to its posse of loyalists to help keep development going as it continues to inch toward the holy grail of scaled solar electric vehicle production.

Up until that point, the startup had raised a staggering $135 million from over 19,000 investors—the most successful crowdfunding raise in history. Never one to shy away from its progress (and hurdles), Aptera said that despite such an inspiring capital raise, it would need another $60 million to begin low-volume SEV production, now slotted for late 2025.

To achieve this, Aptera got in bed with investment firm US Capital Global, which led a $60 million investment offering of convertible notes of Aptera Motors Corp. that began in July. At the time, US Capital Global executives anticipated the raise would take 60 to 90 days.

However, an SEC filing from November 20, 2024, states that the investment round had only garnered $700,000 in convertible notes sold – a mere 1.2% of the targeted amount. As we pointed out during a video tour with Aptera posted by Sandy Munro, Aptera co-CEO Chris Anthony briefly mentioned the possibility of a return to crowdfunding. Here’s what he said at the time:

We think along the way, we may open the crowdfunding again because right now, the minimum investment for the convertible note is $50,000. So, a lot of people have been waiting to invest in Aptera, but they can’t because the minimum is so high.

The cycle continues. Less than a month later, Aptera reopened crowdfunding to the people, allowing you to invest now.

SEV believers can join Aptera’s crowdfunding with $1,000

Aptera recently announced the return to crowdfunding on its blog page, citing a responsibility to protect and restore the environment as a call to action for those willing to part with their hard-earned dollars to join the cause and keep the startup pushing forward. Per the post:

Our vision is clear: a world where every journey is powered by the sun. This relaunch provides a way for everyone—everyday people like you—to become part of the solution. Through this campaign, you can invest in Aptera’s mission to revolutionize transportation and significantly reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

Prospective investors can sign up on Aptera’s dedicated investor page and purchase shares in the startup priced at $14.80 each. Per Aptera, a minimum investment of $1,000 is required. Per Aptera:

Every dollar invested is a statement of hope and determination to shift the status quo. Together, we can lead the way toward a world where clean energy solutions are the norm, not the exception. Your support fuels more than just vehicles—it fuels change.

With a fresh crowdfunding campaign in place, Aptera is continuing to develop its production-intent (PI) vehicles en route to low-volume SEV production for those early investors who secured the first builds via the company’s successful accelerator program.

The team still needs about $59 million to get there, but the people have already gotten the company this far, and could once again be this startup’s saving grace. We will keep tabs on the company’s progress as we see to see more of the (PI) builds in early 2025.