Italian EV start-up Aehra has revealed the names of its first two vehicles, the Impeto SUV and Estasi saloon, as it accelerates towards production. The company has submitted a business plan to Italy’s Ministry of Industry for a proposed 207,000sq ft factory in Mosciano Sant’Angelo, located in the Abruzzo region.
The site was selected due to its proximity to Italy’s carbonfibre industry and the specialized knowledge provided by the nearby University of L’Aquila.
Aehra’s founder and CEO, Hazim Nada, emphasized the importance of this location, stating that it will be crucial for creating the carbonfibre monocoque, a key component of the Aehra saloon and SUV models, and a pioneering feature for mainstream production vehicles. He also highlighted the fiscal benefits offered by the Abruzzo region as an area of special regional development.
The company has also formed a strategic partnership with the University of L’Aquila, which boasts one of the world’s leading EV engineering centers. This collaboration will be essential in developing Aehra’s advanced electric powertrain, capable of delivering an 800km (497-mile) range, and other future EV technologies. A similar partnership exists with the Polytechnic of Milan.
Aehra plans to begin construction on the €1.2 billion (£1bn) facility later this year, potentially creating 540 local jobs and an additional 110 positions at its Milan headquarters. This move aligns with the Italian government’s efforts to bolster the country’s automotive sector.
Previously, the Ministry of Industry intervened in automotive branding, forcing Alfa Romeo to rename the Milano to Junior due to its production in Poland, and seizing Fiat Topolinos made in Morocco for using the Italian flag. The Italian Competition and Markets Authority also recently fined DR and Evo, brands under Italian ownership, €6 million (£5.1m) for falsely marketing Chinese-built cars as Italian-made.