More range from the same battery cell format is a compelling prospect for electric vehicle developers. HPQ Silicon and its French technology partner Novacium have signed a Cell Evaluation and Confidentiality Agreement with Aptera Motors Corp. (NASDAQ: SEV), a U.S. solar mobility company developing an ultra-efficient solar electric vehicle. Aptera will evaluate HPQ ENDURA+ high-capacity 21700 lithium-ion cells, including laboratory testing. In this AGORACOM interview, CEO Bernard Tourillon explains why HPQ’s standard Gen4 cells, with a reported capacity of 6,500 mAh, could fit an architecture already using 21700 cells. Based on HPQ’s internal comparisons, he estimates potential for up to 30% more range versus the cells Aptera previously used. That potential remains subject to Aptera’s evaluation, and the agreement carries no commercial supply commitment.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS
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.
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.
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 commercial criteria. He describes a gradual approach to expanding material production and battery activity while pursuing customers whose requirements better match current capabilities. The Aptera agreement fits that strategy, but the interview establishes neither a firm evaluation deadline nor a subsequent supply arrangement.
BERNARD TOURILLON’S PERSPECTIVE
Tourillon says HPQ’s immediate priority is completing the initial evaluation stage. He explains that the cells were manufactured and internally tested before shipment for Aptera’s assessment, while emphasizing that the testing schedule is outside his control. Although he expresses confidence in HPQ’s internal results, he remains cautious about discussing how the relationship might develop beyond the current agreement.
INVESTOR TAKEAWAY
The Aptera agreement gives HPQ a named U.S. vehicle developer evaluating its battery cells for a potential EV application. It adds another market to a commercialization effort that already includes initial drone battery orders and defence-related prototype work in Europe. Its significance is the move from internal testing into external application evaluation, with commercial outcomes dependent on further technical progress and separately negotiated agreements.
The next milestones are evaluation results, any subsequent qualification work and HPQ’s ability to scale alongside customer requirements. If Aptera’s testing supports HPQ’s performance expectations, the parties may consider further technical and commercial steps. For investors, the opportunity centres on whether HPQ can turn its reported cell performance into repeatable customer adoption across drones, defence and selected mobility applications.
Last modified: October 15, 2026
