The following discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of AltEnergy Acquisition Corp. (the "Company") should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (the "Quarterly Report"). Certain information contained in the discussion and analysis set forth below includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report includes forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this Quarterly Report including, without limitation, statements in this "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" regarding the Company's financial position, business strategy and the plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may," "should," "could," "would," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "continue," or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause or contribute to such a discrepancy include, but are not limited to, those described in the Risk Factors section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31. 2021, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 15, 2022, and in our other SEC filings. Except as expressly required by applicable securities law, we disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Overview

We are a blank check company incorporated as a Delaware corporation and formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses (the "Initial Business Combination").

We intend to effectuate an Initial Business Combination using cash from the proceeds of our initial public offering (the "Public Offering") that closed on November 2, 2021 (the "Closing Date") and the private placement warrants sold in a private placement (the "Private Placement Warrants") that closed on the Closing Date and from additional issuances, if any, of, our capital stock and our debt, or a combination of cash, stock and debt.

Our business activities from inception to September 30, 2022 consisted primarily of our preparation for our Public Offering that was completed on November 2, 2021 and, since the Closing Date, identification and evaluation of prospective acquisition targets for an Initial Business Combination.

At September 30, 2022, we had cash of approximately $215,500 and working capital of approximately $365,300. Further, we expect to continue to incur significant costs in the pursuit of our acquisition plans. We cannot assure you that our plans to complete an Initial Business Combination will be successful.

Results of Operations

For the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, we had net income of $920,184 and a net loss of $40,954, respectively. Our net income for the three months ended September 30, 2022 consisted of interest income earned in the amount of $1,031,530 on funds held in the Trust Account, operating expenses that total $323,407 and a gain of $235,000 reflecting the change in fair value of derivative warrant liability associated with the warrants issued as part of the Units sold in the Public Offering and the Private Placement Warrants. In addition, the Company record an income tax provision of $22,939. Our net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2021 was $40,954 and consisted solely of formation costs.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we had net income of $10,089,460. Our net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 consisted of interest income earned in the amount of $1,436,349 on funds held in the Trust Account and operating expenses that total $1,101,157 and a gain of $10,230,000 reflecting the change in fair value of derivative warrant liability associated with the warrants issued as part of the Units sold in the Public Offering and the Private Placement Warrants. In addition, the Company record an income tax provision of $475,732. Our net loss for the period February 9, 2021 (inception) through September 30, 2021 was $126,155 and consisted solely of formation costs.


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Going Concern Considerations, Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of September 30, 2022, we had investments held in the Trust Account of approximately $235.8 million principally invested in U.S. government securities. Interest income on the balance in the Trust Account may be used by us to pay taxes, and to pay up to $100,000 of any dissolution expenses. As of September 30, 2022, we had working capital of approximately $365,300, current liabilities of approximately $300,800 and cash of approximately $215,500.

In connection with the Company's assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-15, "Disclosures of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern," management has determined that the Company may lack the financial resources it needs to sustain operations for a reasonable period of time, which is considered to be one year from the issuance date of the financial statements. Management has also determined that, in accordance with the Company's amended and restated articles of incorporation, if the Company is unsuccessful in consummating an initial business combination by May 2, 2023, the Company will cease all operations, redeem the public shares and thereafter liquidate and dissolve. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in conformity with GAAP, which contemplate continuation of the Company as a going concern.

We intend to use substantially all of the funds held in the Trust Account, including any amounts representing interest earned on the Trust Account, excluding the deferred underwriting commissions, to complete an initial business combination. To the extent that capital stock or debt is used, in whole or in part, as consideration to complete an initial business combination, the remaining proceeds held in the Trust Account will be used as working capital to finance the operations of the target business or businesses, make other acquisitions and pursue growth strategies. If an initial business combination agreement requires us to use a portion of the cash in the Trust Account to pay the purchase price or requires us to have a minimum amount of cash at closing, we will need to reserve a portion of the cash in the Trust Account to meet such requirements or arrange for third-party financing.

We are required to complete an initial business combination within 18 months from the closing of the IPO. If we are unable to complete an initial business combination within 18 months from the closing of the IPO, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, and subject to having lawfully available funds therefore, redeem the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the trust account deposits (which interest shall be net of taxes payable and less up to $100,000 to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then-outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish the public stockholders' rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law; and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and our board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to the our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.

We completed the sale of 23,000,000 units (the "Public Units") at an offering price of $10.00 per unit in the Public Offering including 3,000,000 units at the initial public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions pursuant to the full exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option. On the Closing Date, simultaneously with the consummation of the Public Offering, we consummated the private placement (the "Private Placement") of an aggregate of 12,000,000 Private Placement at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant, to the Sponsor and B. Riley Principal Investments, LLC ("BRPI"). The Sponsor subscribed to purchase an aggregate of 11,600,000 Private Placement Warrants and BRPI subscribed to purchase an aggregate of 400,000 Private Placement Warrants. The sale of the Public Units generated gross proceeds of $230,000,000, less underwriting commissions of $4,600,000 and other offering costs of $530,022. The Private Placement Warrants generated $12,000,000 of proceeds.

Each Public Unit consists of one share of our Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value (each a "Public Share"), and one-half of one redeemable warrant, with each whole warrant exercisable for one share of Class A common stock (each, a "Warrant" and, collectively, the "Warrants"). One Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one whole share of Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share.

Of the proceeds of the Public Offering and the Private Placement aggregating $242,000,000, $234,600,000 were deposited in a trust account (the "Trust Account"). Income on the funds held in the Trust Account may be released to us to pay our franchise and income taxes.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no obligations, assets or liabilities which would be considered off-balance sheet arrangements. We do not participate in transactions that create relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, often referred to as variable interest entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements.


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We have not entered into any off-balance sheet financing arrangements, established any special purpose entities, guaranteed any debt or commitments of other entities, or entered into any non-financial agreements involving assets.

Contractual Obligations

At September 30, 2022, we did not have any long-term debt, capital lease obligations, operating lease obligations or long-term liabilities. On October 28, 2021, we entered into an administrative services agreement pursuant to which we have agreed to pay an affiliate of the Sponsor a total of $15,000 per month for office space, utilities and secretarial, and administrative support services. Upon the earlier of the completion of the Initial Business Combination and the Company's liquidation, we will cease paying these monthly fees.

Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement with B. Riley Securities, Inc., upon the consummation of our Initial Business Combination, we will pay B. Riley Securities, Inc. a cash fee in an amount equal to 3.5% of the gross proceeds of the Public Offering (exclusive of any applicable finders' fees which might become payable). No fee will be due if we do not complete an Initial Business Combination.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed financial statements, and income and expenses during the periods reported. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. We have identified the following as our critical accounting policies:

Net Income (Loss) per Common Share

Net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Weighted average shares for the period February 9, 2021 (inception) through March 31, 2021 were reduced for the effect of an aggregate of 750,000 shares of Class B common stock that were subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option was not exercised by the underwriters. At September 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company did not have any dilutive securities and/or other contracts that could, potentially, be exercised or converted into shares of common stock and then share in the earnings (losses) of the Company. As a result, diluted income (loss) per share is the same as basic income (loss) per share for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and the period from February 9, 2021 (inception) through September 30, 2021.

Class A common stock subject to possible redemption

The Company accounts for its shares of Class A common stock subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance enumerated in ASC 480 "Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity". Common stock subject to mandatory redemption is classified as a liability instrument and is measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable common stock (including common stock that feature redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company's control) are classified as temporary equity. At all other times, common stock is classified as stockholders' equity. The shares of the Company's Class A common stock feature certain redemption rights that are considered by the Company to be outside of the Company's control and subject to the occurrence of uncertain future events.

Warrant Instruments

The Company accounts for the Public Warrants and the Private Placement Warrants issued in connection with the Initial Public Offering and the Private Placement in accordance with the guidance contained in FASB ASC 815, "Derivatives and Hedging" whereby under that provision the Public Warrants and the Private Placement Warrants do not meet the criteria for equity treatment and must be recorded as a liability. Accordingly, the Company classifies the warrant instrument as a liability at fair value and adjusts the instrument to fair value at each reporting period. This liability will be re-measured at each balance sheet date until the Public Warrants and the Private Placement Warrants are exercised or expire, and any change in fair value will be recognized in the Company's statement of operations. The fair value of the Public Warrants and the Private Placement Warrants will be estimated using an internal valuation model. The Company's valuation model utilizes inputs and other assumptions and may not be reflective of the price at which they can be settled. Such warrant classification is also subject to re-evaluation at each reporting period.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company's balance sheet.


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