Electric car manufacturer Aptera says that its new 2e three-wheeled two-seater will not hit the roads until 2010 due to development that has outpaced funding for the small California company. The company’s co-founders are also pulling back their involvement in the program to focus on other activities, leading many to question the future of the aerodynamic electric vehicle.
Still, Aptera said in a surprisingly honest press release that the 2e will still be produced even though the company has had to lay off some of its employees.
“We’re making significant progress every day with product refinements, the completion of engineering and design details, and securing meaningful strategic partnerships,†said Aptera president Paul Wilbur. “However, we now have to adjust our production schedule to align with financing realities. Properly managing the resources of the company means we’ll complete our first vehicles in 2010, not by the end of 2009 as previously projected.”
Aptera says that it will begin production of the 2e once it either secures additional private investment or once it begins receiving loan financing from the Department of Energy’s Advanced Technology Vehicle program.
Co-founder Chris Anthony will be “stepping aside from day-to-day activities to concentrate on his two other companies, Epic Boats and Flux Power,” according to Wilbur, while co-founder Steve Fambro will take a leave of absence until 2010.
“Right now my advanced work is a lower priority for Aptera,†said Fambro, the company’s Chief Technical Officer who directs all advanced concept development activities. “We’ve got to be wholly focused on funding and getting the first 2e on the road.”
