From Drones To Solar EVs: Aptera To Evaluate HPQ’s High-Capacity Battery Cells

<p><br></p><p>• EV Evaluation: Aptera will assess HPQ ENDURA+ 21700 cells based on Novacium’s silicon-based anode materials and related cell technology, extending HPQ’s evaluation activity into solar electric vehicles.</p><p>• Potential Range Improvement: Tourillon estimates up to 30% more range based on HPQ’s own numbers. He also identifies using fewer cells to reduce vehicle weight as an alternative. These potential benefits remain subject to Aptera’s testing, with no Aptera validation reported in the interview or release.</p><p>• Existing Gen4 Cells: Tourillon says the cells prepared for Aptera are HPQ’s standard Gen4 21700 cells with a reported 6,500 mAh capacity. He says no new cell chemistry was required for this initial evaluation.</p><p>• Commercial Progress: The interview outlines initial drone battery sales, including an order from Alta Ares, alongside a French Army Technical Section contract for prototype tactical radio batteries. These represent separate applications at different stages of development.</p><p>• North American Strategy: HPQ holds exclusive North American commercialization rights to the relevant Novacium technologies. Tourillon describes Aptera as an initial result of the company’s sales team developing opportunities under the HPQ ENDURA+ initiative.</p><p>STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS</p><p>For a developing battery business, customer fit involves more than technical performance. Potential order sizes, delivery requirements and production capacity also matter. Tourillon argues that smaller mobility manufacturers offer opportunities for HPQ at its current stage, particularly where additional energy capacity or lower battery weight could improve a product’s appeal. He contrasts that approach with the high-volume business models of major cell manufacturers.</p><p>Aptera offers a specific starting point because its vehicle architecture already uses the 21700 cylindrical cell format. According to Tourillon, HPQ knew the capacity and energy characteristics of the reference cells and selected its existing Gen4 cells for comparison. He says Aptera wants to validate the cells’ capacity and their performance when connected in series and parallel. A familiar cell format provides a basis for testing, while pack integration and vehicle performance still require assessment.</p><p>Scaling remains part of the work ahead. Tourillon acknowledges that the business has declined larger sales requests because it could not meet the required volumes or commerci