A three-wheeled solar electric car drew attention at SEMA in Las Vegas as local gas averaged about $5.26 a gallon

What happened

Aptera Motors, a company based in California, is displaying a solar electric vehicle at this year's SEMA Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center, KTNV reported. The three-wheeled car has solar panels built into its body and can also be plugged in for more charging.

KTNV framed the display around fuel, an expense the station said weighs especially heavily on drivers. The station noted that the show is known for powerful engines and custom builds, and that Aptera's design stands out there for a different reason.

Gas prices in Las Vegas

According to AAA figures cited by KTNV, regular gasoline in Las Vegas averaged approximately $5.26 a gallon as of Thursday, November 5. The national average at the same time was $4.10.

KTNV described Las Vegas gas prices as among the highest in the country. The station said the region's abundant sunshine is part of why a solar-powered car could appeal to local drivers.

How the car is supposed to work

Company range claims

Aptera says the vehicle is designed to produce up to 40 miles of driving range per day from solar energy under ideal conditions, KTNV reported. The company also estimates the car could travel 400 miles on a full battery charge.

For drivers with short daily commutes, KTNV said, that could mean spending noticeably less time and money on charging.

Limits on the savings

KTNV reported that the amount of energy the car generates depends on sunlight exposure, where it is parked and how it is driven each day. Drivers who cover longer distances or often park in shade may still need to plug in.

The purchase price of the vehicle is another factor. KTNV said whether a solar car makes financial sense will depend on its final price, its operating costs and how much a driver can realistically save over time. The station also noted the technology is not an immediate answer to high gas prices.

The path to production

Manufacturing partnership

In August, Aptera announced a manufacturing partnership with Launch Design, a Shanghai-based company that specializes in automotive manufacturing and production, according to KTNV. The agreement covers a production program valued at up to approximately $44 million.

KTNV reported that the program includes manufacturing equipment, vehicle testing, initial production and work toward larger-scale manufacturing.

Timeline and conditions

Aptera says it plans to start building its first 40 production vehicles by the end of 2026, with the first customer deliveries targeted for early 2027. The company says that schedule depends on securing additional financing, meeting manufacturing milestones and getting the necessary regulatory approvals.

Why it matters for local drivers

KTNV noted that affordability is top of mind for many Nevadans and that fuel is one expense hitting drivers especially hard. The station said solar-powered transportation could eventually give commuters another way to cut what they spend getting around.

For now, Aptera says it is making progress toward getting the vehicles to customers, and KTNV did not report a final price for the car. More local stories on daily costs and the people affected are collected in our community coverage.

What to watch next

• Whether Aptera begins building its first 40 production vehicles by the end of 2026, as the company plans.
• Whether initial customer deliveries arrive in early 2027, as Aptera is targeting.
• Whether Aptera secures the additional financing, manufacturing milestones and regulatory approvals it says its timeline depends on.
• The vehicle's final price, which KTNV said will help determine whether it makes financial sense for drivers.