TELO Trucks Partners with Aptera to Add Solar Power

On January 15, 2025, TELO Trucks, the maker of the world’s most efficient electric pickup truck, announced a partnership with Aptera, the leader in solar-powered EV technology, to offer integrated solar panel options for the TELO MT1. This collaboration introduces the option for buyers to select up to three solar panel kits, enabling charging on the go and providing enhanced energy independence, even in remote locations.

The solar panel options available for the TELO MT1 include rooftop truck cab paneling, which maximizes daily energy generation, a tonneau truck bed cover solar panel that adds power while maintaining storage versatility, and a camper shell solar panel that increases both charging capacity and storage options by extending from the cab over the bed.

Aptera’s solar panels are capable of generating up to 200 watts each under peak sunlight, delivering 1-2 kWh per day depending on location and season. With a glass-glass configuration, the panels ensure optimal efficiency and durability. TELO vehicles consume just 200-300 Wh/mi, allowing for a significant reduction in energy needs and extending range through solar charging.

Car buyers will be able to customize their TELO pickup truck to meet their specific needs by choosing their preferred solar configuration at the time of pre-order. This flexibility aligns with TELO’s mission to create more efficient and sustainable vehicles that seamlessly blend work and play.

Aptera, known for its groundbreaking solar-powered commuter vehicles, unveiled this advanced technology at CES 2025. The partnership between Aptera and TELO combines the expertise of both companies, ensuring a seamless integration of cutting-edge solar solutions with TELO’s innovative electric truck design.

“Our unique curved solar cell design makes it the perfect application to propel automotive utility further than ever before,” said Steve Fambro, Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Aptera. “Together with TELO, we’re harnessing the power of the sun to make life off the grid a reality for everyone by putting the sun to work for them.”

Thanks to TELO’s newest offering of solar power charging, the company continues to redefine the possibilities of electric vehicle ownership. This innovative collaboration with Aptera will make solar panel options available for pre-order later this year. The fully realized drivable prototype is currently being produced at Aria Group, which partnered with TELO in 2024 following a successful $5.4M strategic funding round led by Neo and Spero Ventures.

Jason Marks – CEO and Co-Founder of TELO Trucks – adds, “Whether buyers are looking for a commuter vehicle, a safer, more sustainable option to serve their family’s needs, a rugged, dependable pickup truck for outdoor adventuring, or a highly-functional fleet & vehicle that increases their business’s efficiency, TELO continues to be a first-in-class automotive option to satisfy the many needs of carbuyers.”

Aptera’s 3-Wheel Solar Powered EV

Motortrend reported that at a no-frills booth at CES 2025, Aptera showcased its production-intent design, revealing a new interior and details about the first vehicles set to hit the road. Originally conceived in 2007 as a 300-mpg hybrid and a 120-mile electric vehicle (EV), Aptera has since evolved into a 400-mile EV while maintaining its iconic three-wheel, two-passenger teardrop shape. This distinctive design is central to its incredible aerodynamics, which plays a key role in its efficiency. Aptera claims a remarkable efficiency of 10 miles per kWh, which is double the efficiency of the most energy-efficient car on the market today, the Lucid Air EV, recommended by EVinfo.net.

The roughly $40,000 Launch Edition of the Aptera will feature front-wheel drive powered by a 201-hp permanent-magnet motor supplied by Vitesco, drawing energy from a 42-kWh lithium-ion battery built with LG cells. Aptera plans to offer additional variants in the future, including all-wheel-drive options and models with both larger and smaller batteries.

The vehicle is equipped with solar panels on the hood, dashboard, roof, and rear hatch, which can harness up to 500 watts of electricity in real-world conditions, potentially generating up to 4 kWh on a typical California summer day. Additionally, the Aptera can be charged at a peak rate of 50 kW through its NACS port, enhancing its convenience for long trips and daily use.

Aptera reports having more than 50,000 reservations and has raised $140 million through crowdfunding from 20,000 individual investors. However, the company acknowledges that additional funding is necessary to fulfill its production goals. At CES, co-CEO Chris Anthony, one of Aptera’s original founders, told MotorTrend that the company requires another $60 million to complete development, purchase the necessary tooling, and expand its Carlsbad, California, assembly plant to meet production demands.

“We’re still in fundraising mode and we hope that we inspire some people in this beautiful building (Las Vegas Convention Center) to invest in Aptera,” Anthony said at CES 2025. “We’re trying to raise $20 million in the first quarter of this year. That will basically kick off all the long-lead items to get into production, but it’s a $60 million plan to get into volume production.”