Introducing Lightyear, the world’s first solar-powered car

Lightyear 0 features five square metres of patented, double curved solar arrays that allows the vehicle to charge itself whilst driving or when parked outdoors.

In the right conditions, the vehicle can power itself with 70km of range per day on top of its estimated 625km WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) range.

It has an energy use of 10.5kWh per 100km, meaning it is an extremely efficient electric vehicle. Despite measuring five metres, the vehicle’s total weight is only 1,575kg, also contributing to maximum efficiency.

It has a solar yield of up to 11,000km a year, which means that during the summer period drivers can drive for months before needing to plug in.

It took six years of R&D, design, engineering, prototyping, and testing to reach the production ready stage. Production is expected to start in Autumn and the first car could be delivered as early as November.

“Today is the day we’ve all been waiting for since us five co-founders sat in a kitchen sketching out our dream of building the most sustainable car on the planet,” says Lightyear’s Co-Founder and CEO Lex Hoefsloot.

“In 2016, we only had an idea; three years later, we had a prototype. Now, after six years of testing, iterating, (re)designing, and countless obstacles, Lightyear 0 is proof that the impossible is actually possible.”

Since its inception, the vehicle has been attempting to pave the way for cleaner mobility. Every design detail has been considered with sustainability in mind – in particular, the interior is made entirely of vegan and naturally-sourced materials such as ecological microfibre suede seats and rattan palm detailing.

A maximum of 946 Lightyear 0’s will be produced at a cost of €250,000 to effectively introduce this new form of mobility to the market and move forward with Lightyear’s next model, which is being designed for high volume production at an accessible starting price point of €30,000 (production set for late 2024/early 2025).

Lightyear said that the vehicle offers a new future for motorists who want freedom of mobility.