Aehra to debut Italian-made electric sedans and SUVs by 2025

UPDATE: Italian EV start-up, Aehra, has taken the covers off its first vehicle design, revealing the exterior panels for their highly stylised SUV.

The as-yet-unnamed vehicle features typical Italian flair and detail, with particular attention drawn to the short overhangs that lead to generous approach and departure angle for a vehicle with such exotic styling.

The lines of the SUV were penned with aerodynamics in mind – an all-important factor for improving range – while active flaps manage the temperature of the vehicle's battery. Also distinctive are the vehicle's doors, which open upwards to ensure easy access.

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"With the SUV, we have created a vehicle that goes far beyond the conventional standards set by the automotive industry for an SUV, and sets new benchmarks for style and comfort", AEHRA chief design officer, Filippo Perini said.

AEHRA founder and CEO, Hazim Nada added, "Supremely comfortable, beautifully balanced, and graceful, the SUV ushers in a new era of EV style and sophistication, and signifies the next successful milestone on AEHRA’s strategic journey to a rollout of both our sophisticated vehicles to global markets in 2025."

While the SUV is unconfirmed to hit Australian shores, Aehra is yet another start-up to join the many EV hopefuls such as Rimac, Xiaopeng Motors, and Fisker looking to make their impact on the industry.

In addition to the SUV, Aehra also revealed they'll be unveiling a new sedan in February 2023, seeking to deliver to customers in 2025.

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The story to here

UPDATE June 30: There's a new start-up electric vehicle manufacturer entering the game, but will we ever see Aehra cars on the road?

With its headquarters and R&D centre in Milan, Italy, the new EV manufacturer is aiming to introduce its first models to the global market in 2025, planning on revealing an SUV and sedan before the end of 2022.

Originally founded by CEO Hazim Nada in the US state of Delaware, Aehra promises to deliver "world-class engineering, Italian design and American customer service, combined with the advantages of next-generation EV powertrain and ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) technology".

Just like Bruce Springsteen's hit song, Nada was born in the USA, but raised in Italy before going on to study in the United Kingdom – a move which netted him a Masters degree in theoretical physics from the University of Cambridge and a PhD in applied mathematics from Imperial College London.

Nada will be joined by co-founder and Chief Operating Officer Sandro Andreotti as well as former Lamborghini Centro Stile design director Filippo Perini with the ultimate aim of delivering EVs which take "full advantage of emerging EV architecture to deliver a genuine step-change in vehicle aerodynamics, design, cabin space, comfort and human journey experience".

"We created Aehra with an undiluted vision to tackle some of the fundamental shortcomings in the current global automotive industry," said Nada.

"First, to create truly desirable electric cars, that are conceptualised from the onset as electric, without the overhang of combustion legacy mindsets, and basing them upon Italian design that finally optimise the benefits which EV design affords, both inside and out.

“Aehra’s vehicle architecture takes the step by addressing the direct shortcomings of designing electric vehicles that maintain the shapes of internal combustion engine traditions.

"[...]secondly, to redefine the automotive experience. We’re not just talking about allowing customers to purchase a car directly online in just a few clicks, we’re going to completely rewrite the way that buyers make their way through the full research and purchasing journey, as well as enjoy it to the ultimate, long after they’ve taken delivery.”

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Aehra founder and CEO, Hazim Nada

Some strong promises are being made before we've even been shown a sketch of what Aehra's models might look like.

For starters, the SUV will allegedly "effortlessly accommodate four full-size NBA players while leaving room for a six foot adult in the middle of the rear seat row", although there's no specifics as to whether they're talking about players like Muggsy Bogues or Dikembe Mutombo.

A monocoque chassis will place the driver "at the very heart of the vehicle", although again, it's unclear if Aehra means in a central driving position or not.

Both models boast targeted driving ranges of at least 800 kilometres, taking on premium offerings from Tesla, Lucid and Mercedes-Benz in the EV sphere.

“When Aehra reaches the market, many of the challenges that impede EV manufacturers today will no longer be an issue," Nada added.

"Range anxiety will be of no concern to customers. The differentiating factors will hence be the remaining elements of the customer experience. Innovation will hence no longer need to address [driving] range and power, but vehicle dynamics, vehicular shapes and all the experiences around the usage and ownership of the vehicle."

Time will tell as to whether Aehra can take it to its proposed rivals or if it can even get off the ground, with the European Union's ban on internal combustion engines by 2035 creating a surge in interest from manufacturers to develop EVs.