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Lightyear 0

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Lightyear 0
Lightyear One at Motorworld Munich in 2021
Overview
TypeSolar car
ManufacturerLightyear
Production2022–2023[1]
AssemblyUusikaupunki, Finland (Valmet Automotive)
DesignerLowie Vermeersch at Granstudio[2]
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[3]
Width1,898 mm[3]
Height1,426 mm[3]
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.[4] 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.[5]

Overview

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Lightyear One at Fully Charged Europe 2022

The Lightyear 0 is a large fastback, with the bonnet, roof, and boot clad covered with 5 m2 (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.[6][7] 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.[8] It seats five adults and luggage.[7]

History

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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.[9]

Price and availability

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Announced on 25 June 2019, production was scheduled to start in 2021, mentioning a starting price of €119,000 excl. VAT.[8] 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.[10] 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.[4] 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.[11][12] 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.[13]

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  • 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

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  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. ^ a b c "Lightyear One | The electric car that charges itself with sunlight". Netherlands: Lightyear. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  4. ^ a b "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. ^ a b "Lightyear One: Hands-on with a solar-powered car with 440-mile range". Venture Beat. 19 January 2020.
  8. ^ a b 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.
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