Lightyear has opened a waitlist for its second production model, the Lightyear 2, a solar-powered electric vehicle (EV) that aims to make electric driving more accessible and convenient at a more affordable price than other long-range EVs.
The Lightyear 2 will be launched in the US, UK, and EU, with production set to begin by the end of 2025 and an estimated price point of under €40,000. Consumers can now join the waitlist on the company’s website and be among the first to pre-order the Lightyear 2.
“Lightyear 2 will fast-track our mission of delivering clean mobility to everyone, everywhere. This is the first EV that allows consumers to prioritize sustainability, without compromising on practicality,” says Lex Hoefsloot, CEO and Co-Founder of Lightyear. “By harnessing the power of the sun, Lightyear 2 elevates the electric driving experience and reduces reliance on strained electricity grids. In fact, while Lightyear 2 vehicles require less charging from the electricity grid than a conventional EV, they also flip the script by providing clean energy back into the grid.”
Lightyear has not disclosed how it plans to significantly reduce the price of the Lightyear 2 compared to the Lightyear 0, but it is likely that the company will achieve this through a combination of factors such as a larger production run, more cost-effective manufacturing solutions, possibly smaller vehicle dimensions, and others.
Lightyear has stated that the Lightyear 2 will make electric driving more affordable and convenient than other long-range EVs, and aims to “democratize solar electric driving.” The startup estimates a real-life driving range of over 500 miles (800 kilometers) on a full charge, with solar power said to “double” the range, though no specific details were provided.
The Lightyear 2 is also expected to require three times less charging than conventional EVs, and the company claims it will have the lowest running costs of any comparable EV and 50% lower CO2 emissions over the vehicle’s lifetime compared to a conventional EV.
Lightyear started production of Lightyear 0, world’s first solar car on schedule. Production of the Lightyear 0 got off to a good start – with new investors and without delay, the first solar electric car rolled off the assembly line in Finland.
The Lightyear 0 was built by Valmet Automotive, a company with a long history of producing several iconic cars over the years.
Lightyear 2 photos gallery
