Lightyear 0 is World’s First Solar Car, Deliveries Set to Begin as Soon as November

JUNE 10, 2022  

After many years of design and testing, the Lightyear 0 is finally going into production this fall as the world’s first solar car. In optimal conditions, the vehicle is capable of freely traveling for up to seven months without having to be plugged into a household outlet or charging station.

Unlike standard EVs, the Lightyear 0 boasts five square meters of patented, double curved solar arrays, which enable the vehicle to charge itself while commuting or just parked outdoors. This means that it can power itself with 70 kilometers of range per day on top of its estimated 625 kilometers WLTP range. Power comes from a four electric motors that draw on a 60kWh battery pack generating 174 hp and 1,269 lb-ft of torque, or enough to hit 62mph in 10 seconds, while topping out at 100mph. Inside, you’ll find seats covered in plant-based leather, fabric accents made from recycled bottles, rattan palm wood trim, and a 10.1-inch center touchscreen running on Android Automotive. Production will be limited to 946 units worldwide, priced from €250,000. The closest competitor would be the Aptera 1,000-mile solar vehicle.

Today is the day we’ve all been waiting for since us five co-founders sat in a kitchen sketching out our dream of building the most sustainable car on the planet. In 2016, we only had an idea; three years later, we had a prototype. Now, after six years of testing, iterating, (re)designing, and countless obstacles, Lightyear 0 is proof that the impossible is actually possible,” said Lex Hoefsloot, Lightyear’s Co-Founder and CEO.