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(Redirected from Lightyear One) Solar-electric car

Motor vehicle
Lightyear 0
Lightyear One at Motorworld Munich in 2021
Overview
TypeSolar car
ManufacturerLightyear
Production2022–2023
AssemblyUusikaupunki, Finland (Valmet Automotive)
DesignerLowie Vermeersch at Granstudio
Body and chassis
ClassExecutive car (E)
Body style5-door Liftback
Layoutwheel hub motor, four-wheel-drive
Powertrain
Engine4 electric engines in the wheels
Power output130 kW (170 bhp)
Battery60 kWh
Electric range625 km (388 miles) (WLTP)
Dimensions
Length5,057 mm
Width1,898 mm
Height1,426 mm
Curb weight~ 1,575 kg (3,472 lb)

The Lightyear 0 (formerly the Lightyear One) is an all-solar-electric car by the Dutch car manufacturer Lightyear. Production was originally scheduled to start in 2021, with a starting price of €250,000 incl. VAT. The first units were delivered in December 2022. In January 2023, Lightyear announced that it was halting production of the 0 model, and that Atlas Technologies B.V., the subsidiary responsible for the manufacture of the Lightyear 0, would be allowed to go bankrupt. After a restart and new investments the manufacturer is now focusing on a more affordable model, Lightyear 2.

Overview

Lightyear One at Fully Charged Europe 2022

The Lightyear 0 is a large fastback, with the bonnet, roof, and boot clad covered with 5 m (54 sq ft) of solar cells, producing a WLTP range of 625 km (388 miles). The Lightyear company claims the 782 solar cells across the car can add 70 km (43.5 miles) of range per day during summer. The aerodynamics of the vehicle were stated to produce a record-low drag coefficient of Cd=0.175.

The car is all-wheel drive, with four in-wheel electric hub motors powered by a low-mounted battery. It seats five adults and luggage.

History

The solar panel design was born out of the Solar Team Eindhoven's solar-powered cars for the World Solar Challenge. Design work on the Lightyear 0 was carried out together with Granstudio in Italy.

Price and availability

Announced on 25 June 2019, production was scheduled to start in 2021, mentioning a starting price of €119,000 excl. VAT. In September 2021, Lightyear were reported to have raised to bring the vehicle to production, and delivering the first units in 2022, for €250,000 excl. VAT. The company announced in December 2022 that production had begun, at a rate of one car per week. Availability was limited to customers in the EU, Switzerland, Norway and the UK. However, in January 2023 Lightyear announced that it was halting production of the 0 model, redirecting their efforts towards production of Lightyear 2; Atlas Technologies B.V., the subsidiary responsible for the manufacture of the Lightyear 0, would be allowed to go bankrupt. As of 2023, the replacement, Lightyear 2, is slated to be US$40,000 and available in both Europe and North America, and to start production in 2025.

Gallery

  • Front view Front view
  • Front and side view Front and side view
  • Wheel and aerocover Wheel and aerocover
  • Interior view Interior view
  • Rear view Rear view

References

  1. "Lightyear 0 Production Suspended As Company Decides To Focus On More Affordable 2". Carscoops. 24 January 2023.
  2. "Lightyear One (2019) – Designing a super efficient family car that charges under the sun". Turin: GranStudio. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  3. ^ "Lightyear One | The electric car that charges itself with sunlight". Netherlands: Lightyear. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  4. ^ "Lightyear 0 Solar EV Enters Production At A Rate Of One Per Week". InsideEVs. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  5. "Koreaanse miljoenen voor autobouwer Lightyear: 'We gaan hier een staalfabriek bouwen'". Quotenet (in Dutch). Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  6. Potts, Greg (26 June 2019). "The Lightyear One is a long-range solar-powered EV". Top Gear. UK. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
  7. ^ "Lightyear One: Hands-on with a solar-powered car with 440-mile range". Venture Beat. 19 January 2020.
  8. ^ Wilkinson, Luke (25 June 2019). "Lightyear unveils long-range solar-electric car". Auto Express. UK. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
  9. Vijayenthiran, Viknesh (25 June 2019). "Dutch EV startup". Motor Authority. US. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
  10. "Lightyear raises $110 million to bring its $170,000 'solar' electric car to market". 16 September 2021. Archived from the original on 17 September 2021.
  11. "Lightyear 0 unit goes bust, impact on future car plans unclear". DutchNews.nl. 26 January 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  12. "Lightyear 0 Production On Hold As Company Focuses On Affordable Model". InsideEVs. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  13. Eric Stafford (5 January 2023). "Lightyear EV Is Sun Powered, Has a Claimed 500-Mile Range, Will Cost under $40K". Car and Driver.

External links


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