Why do electric cars look like other cars? This question concerns the US citizen and entrepreneur Hazim Nada (50). “E-cars have a long hood, but the electric motor never needs that much space,” says Nada. “Front cargo space is pointless there because most people don’t use it at all.”
That’s why the entrepreneur founded the Aehra automobile brand. It’s a start-up for electric cars like those that have sprouted countless times from Chinese and US soil in recent years. American, “It’s time for a European start-up!” says. That’s why he made Italy the home of his brand and therefore sees it in line with Ferrari or Lamborghini. Aehra is poised to revolutionize the automobile world with a new, exciting design and a new type of interior: “taking full advantage of electric driving.”
four hinged doors
The SUV, now unveiled, shows what this might look like – from the outside, at least. The interior remains hidden. The body design shown should correspond to 95 percent of the production version set to begin in 2025. In any case, the 5.1-meter-long electric crossover looks unusual. But the most exciting are the front and rear gull-wing doors called elytra. Elytern are the wings of insects, and they “open like the doors of our SUV,” says Nada.
Otherwise, the electric crossover has a long wheelbase, short overhangs and, unsurprisingly, a very short body. This is roughly how we would imagine the EQS SUV if Mercedes had consistently transferred the aerodynamic design of its electric sedan to a crossover. Aerodynamics also dictates the design of the Aehra to achieve greater range. Because Hazim Nada is a pilot and owns a wind tunnel: “The air intakes at the front are mostly used for airflow, not cooling,” says the Founder.
under two tons
In addition to design, interior and aerodynamics, another focal point is lightweight construction. The Aehra SUV should weigh less than two tons. That’s why technicians rely on carbon fibers and recycled composites such as SMC (Sheet Molding Compound). In order to reach the targeted production figure of 25,000 pieces per year, short fibers that are pressed at high pressure and not baked are used. Sustainable materials should be found throughout the car.
Aehra wants to buy typical automobile components such as electric motors or batteries from suppliers. “Everything on the market today works and will remain state-of-the-art three years from now,” explains Nada. “There’s no point in developing it on your own at great cost.” Therefore, for example, the performance has not yet been determined and depends on the supplier of the motors. But it should be around 800 hp, all-wheel drive tuned. The battery should have a capacity of 120 kilowatt-hours (kWh) for a range of approximately 800 kilometers. An 850-volt technology should provide short charge times.
Anonymous
So what will be the name of this new SUV, which Aehra wants to herald a new era of electric design? “It doesn’t have a name!” Nada is surprised. “People should say they use an Aehra. How they use an iPhone or how they work with Microsoft.» We’ll see if customers will pay around US$180,000 for an unnamed SUV. That’s how much the Aehra crossover costs when it hits the market in mid-2025. About half a year later, a sedan is following similar technology – again anonymous.
Unlike other start-ups or established manufacturers, Aehra does not have pre-paid pre-booking. Hazım Nada does not want to pre-finance his brand and production with customer contributions, he briefly introduces two investors. Is it time for extraordinary looking electric cars? Because the first Stromers designed against the mainstream from the beginning of electromobility, such as the Mitsubishi i-Miev, Nissan Leaf or BMW i3, were controversial. Because of their design.