Electric carmaker Aptera raises $24 million round

Correction: A correction was made to this story. Read below for details.

(Credit: Aptera)

Aptera Motors, the electric car start-up that on Tuesday nabbed funding from Google.org, announced Thursday that it has secured $24 million in a series C round.

The Carlsbad, Calif., company aims to spend the funds on its manufacturing center in nearby Vista.

Aptera has set the end of this year for the release of its all-electric Typ-1, a two-seater, three-wheeled electric car whose streamlined shape might look at home in a Jetsons cartoon. Each street-legal vehicle would cost less than $30,000.

The electric version of the three-wheeler would drive 120 miles per charge, while a hybrid version due for release near the end of 2009 is meant to achieve 300 miles per gallon.

"The Aptera Typ-1 is designed to be the lowest-energy way to transport two passengers safely from point A to point B," Bill Gross, chairman and CEO of start-up incubator Idealab, which backs Aptera, said in a statement.

Google's philanthropic arm on Wednesday shared that it will split $2.75 million toward its RechargeIt initiative between Aptera and battery start-up ActaCell. Other investors in Aptera include Esenjay Investments, the Simons Family, and the Beall Family Trust.

The company said it has received 3,300 deposits of a minimum $500 each from potential customers in California.

Correction: When published, this story gave the wrong day for the Aptera-Google.org announcement. That round of funding was announced Tuesday.

[RainCaster]

I am looking forward to this car, as I am one of those 3800+ people who put down a $500 deposit.This Series C round should help accelerate the production phase.

[bobfox321]

These people are the Henry Fords of today but the car only comes in white ! Humor aside, this is the closest that any alternative energy vehicle has come to mass production. If they lowered the price to less than $22K for both vehicles loaded with options then that would guarantee huge sales volumes. I want one but I live in Arizona and they will only be sold in California for starters.

[gacoastalguy]

I love the looks, the efficiency and the possibilites. I Want TWO actually, but because I live in Florida..well, you know how that works. Only CA gets them to start. Hopefully by the time they get to us, they will have continuted improvements in overall performance.

[daspifster]

Investment from Google is a great start! With high profile backers they will make sure that they stand behind the quality of parts and warranty.

Have you seen the sledge hammer challenge? They have a standing offer of $100 for anyone who can put a dent in it with a sledge hammer. Also I hear that they are building and crushing them, but I can't find any crash test videos yet. You can find the sledge hammer video at http://www.EcoSoln.com .