The world’s first production-ready solar-powered car had been unveiled by Dutch electric vehicle maker, Lightyear.
Dubbed as the Lightyear 0, the car features over 1,000 km of driving range thanks to its battery range of 625km (WLTP) and up to 70km of additional daily solar range.
According to Lex Hoefsloot, co-founder and CEO, this solar-powered car is designed with its own ecosystem of efficiency in mind.
“There’s no hiding from it, access to charging stations will not keep up with the demand for electric cars. To minimise plug-charging and maximise range, the industry’s strategy, so far, has been to add batteries. That increases the carbon footprint of production and, in turn, boosts weight and the need for high-power charging stations,” Mr Hoefsloot said.
“Our strategy flips that approach. Lightyear 0 delivers more range with less battery, reducing weight and CO₂ emissions per vehicle.”
Lightyear 0 boasts a solar roof that allows the car to drive for weeks even without access to a plug-in socket.
“In cloudy climates, based on the average commute of around 35 kilometres per day, you can drive for up to two months before you need to think about charging. In sunnier countries, that could be up to seven months.”
Lightyear 0 can also be plugged into a regular home socket for up to 32 kilometres of range per hour.
The car is also supposedly sustainably built.
“It’s vegan and eco-friendly, featuring plant-based leather, fabrics made from recycled PET bottles and wooden deco elements from sustainably-restructured rattan palm.”
“Lightyear 0’s outer body panels are also made from reclaimed carbon; residual carbon fibre materials that would otherwise go to waste.”
According to the manufacturer, some parts of Europe may see the car on the road as early as June 2022, with test drives likely to be offered around the same time.
Production is expected to start in September and the first deliveries are likely to be made as early as November.
While there is no confirmation yet for Australia, interested buyers can check out the website and sign up for their mailing list to be notified on new locations where the Lightyear 0 will next arrive.
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