Dutch mobility startup Lightyear has announced that it has started production of the Lightyear 0, the world’s first solar-powered car.
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 can now count on assistance from Bridgestone and Koenigsegg in the development of a future solar electric car.
For Lightyear, this is an extraordinary moment to turn a concept vehicle into a production vehicle ready for customers to drive.
Lightyear itself started 6 years ago as a group of engineering students who took part in a solar electric car competition in Australia.
The Lightyear 0, comes with a hefty price tag of €250,000 ($259,000) and has already garnered around 150 pre-orders.
The Lightyear 0 will be built around a thousand units at Valmet Automotive Oyj’s facility in Finland, with initial production capacity starting at one car a week.
The Lightyear 0 itself uses curved solar panels on the hood and roof, which provide energy for an additional 70 kilometers (43 miles) of driving range each day.
Lightyear had to struggle to raise funds at the start because investors were reluctant to put their money into the new concept. Solar-powered cars must have struggled to get beyond the prototype stage because solar panels require large areas.
The company has also developed Lightyear 2, with an initial price of around €30,000. The Lightyear 2 is expected to enter production in 2025 and has orders from leasing and car-sharing companies LeasePlan Corp NV and MyWheels. The company claims it has everything it needs to build Lightyear 2.
Solar-powered Lightyear 0 makes automotive history with record aerodynamics
