Last November Aptera successfully tested its first production-intent three-wheel solar-powered EV — and said it already had over 50,000 reservations. The vehicles had a solar charge range of 40 miles per day, reported Digital Trends, noting the crowdfunded company's cars also had an NCAS charging port. ("Solar-powered electric vehicles are also being developed by the likes of Germany's Sono Motors and the Netherlands' Lightyear, and by big automakers such as Hyundai and Mercedes-Benz.") But this week the EV site Electrek pointed out that "There have been a handful of 'solar car' projects and they all have failed so far."Aptera is one of the rare survivors, thanks to a couple of relatively successful crowdfunding efforts. The company has been inching closer to bringing its vehicle to production, but it still appears to need some investments to make it happen. Now, Aptera is going public. Generally, that's good news. An initial public offering (IPO) means that a company is going to raise capital for its operations and give more people the opportunity to invest in the company. However, Aptera is not doing a traditional IPO. It's not even doing a SPAC deal. It's doing a direct listing, which means that if approved by NASDAQ, it will allow shareholders to trade their shares on the public market. This is usually an exit strategy for existing shareholders. Aptera won't receive any proceeds from going public... The company needs to be infused with capital soon, and this direct listing is not it. The top-rated comment on the site suggests "Open market trading will establish a fair price for exchanges among the holders. I don't think this necessarily indicates they are trying to wind down the company." And the article does also acknowledge the possibility of "public demand for the stock amid this crazy bubble we are in — resulting in a price increase, which Aptera takes advantage of with a public offering..." "Aptera has now confirmed that it has received NASDAQ approval and the stock will start trading on October 16."Read more of this story at Slashdot.