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Even With The Expected Arrival Next Year, The Deliveries Of The First Solar-Powered Electric Cars Are Expected To Be At Least Two Years Behind Schedule
The Dutch startup behind the world’s first solar-powered electric car that is completely independent from the power grid raised significant investment this year. Deliveries of the Lightyear One prototype are set to arrive in the automotive industry next summer.
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US$ 100 Million In Investments For The Arrival Of The First Solar-Powered Electric Car In The Automotive Industry
The Dutch insurer DELA and art collector Joop van Caldenborgh ensured that the Dutch startup responsible for the solar-powered electric car Lightyear One raised over US$ 110 million in investments this year.
To reserve a Lightyear One, interested customers will have to pay a fee of € 150,000, described as a “down payment” on the company’s website, suggesting that the final purchase price will be even higher. The startup had planned to deliver its prototype to customers last year, however, manufacturing was delayed and the start of deliveries is set for next summer.
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Lightyear has also successfully raised investments by offering shareholders the opportunity to reserve one of the vehicles, which features a roof with solar panels and state-of-the-art systems.
A Revolution In The Automotive Industry
The CEO of Lightyear claims that their solar-powered electric car has a key advantage when compared to other electric vehicles currently on the market.
“I think it’s essential for the energy transition not to be limited by what large companies are capable of installing over the years on the roads, but that it is also a revolution of the people. We have rid ourselves of all the infrastructure and moved away from other government plans. We can embrace solar energy on our own and invent our own electric model,” the CEO emphasizes.
Manufacturer Claims Solar-Powered Electric Car Consumes 3x Less Than Any Other Electric Vehicle On The Market
On the manufacturer’s website, it claims that the prototype “will consume only 83 Wh/km – two to three times less energy than any other electric vehicle on the market” and adds that the company plans to produce 946 cars, to be delivered in the European Union, Norway, and Switzerland.
The 5m² roof of the Lightyear One consists of a solar panel with double-curved glass and maximum power point tracking. Lightyear is also planning mass production of a second solar electric vehicle and said it aims to enter “mass market production with this new model in 2024,” for which it is seeking more investors.
“Thanks to the trust and funding received from our investors, we can grow even further as a company and bring our unique Lightyear One model [to] the market in 2022,” said Lex Hoefsloot, CEO and co-founder of Lightyear.
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