| Lightyear 0 | |
| Type: | Solar car |
| Designer: | Lowie Vermeersch at Granstudio[1] |
| Manufacturer: | Lightyear |
| Assembly: | Uusikaupunki, Finland (Valmet Automotive) |
| Production: | 2022–2023[2] |
| Class: | Executive car (E) |
| Layout: | wheel hub motor, four-wheel-drive |
| Body Style: | 5-door Liftback |
| Engine: | 4 electric engines in the wheels |
| Electric Range: | 388miles (WLTP) |
| Weight: | ~ 15750NaN0 |
| Length: | 5,057 mm[3] |
| Width: | 1,898 mm |
| Height: | 1,426 mm |
| Battery: | 60 kWh |
| Powerout: | 130 kW (170 bhp) |
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 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]
The Lightyear 0 is a large fastback, with the bonnet, roof, and boot clad covered with 50NaN0 of solar cells, producing a WLTP range of 388miles. The Lightyear company claims the 782 solar cells across the car can add 43.5miles of range per day during summer.[6] The aerodynamics of the vehicle were stated to produce a record-low .
The car is all-wheel drive, with four in-wheel electric hub motors powered by a low-mounted battery. It seats five adults and luggage.[7]
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.[8]
Announced on 25 June 2019, production was scheduled to start in 2021, mentioning a starting price of excl. VAT.[9] In September 2021, Lightyear were reported to have raised to bring the vehicle to production, and delivering the first units in 2022, for 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], the replacement, Lightyear 2, is slated to be and available in both Europe and North America, and to start production in 2025.[13]