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A Startup Lightyear Claims It Will Advance the Project for the First Electric Car That Charges Its Battery Using Solar Energy
For the Dutch startup Lightyear, having an electric car that charges its battery solely using solar energy is not the future, it’s the now! The company aims to accelerate the project for the first electric car powered by solar energy and is committed to the challenge of starting production for sale by mid-2024.
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CEO’s Words on the Electric Car Project
Lex Hoefsloot, CEO of Lightyear, spoke in an interview and confirmed that the company does not have plans just for the mass production of Lightyear One, as it aims to go beyond that with a project to develop an entire line of electric cars with batteries charged by solar energy.
Hoefsloot added that the company plans to build electric cars that are useful for consumers’ daily lives and go far beyond just being a technology flagship. The goal is to achieve the development of sustainable automobiles available to everyone.
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First Electric Car That Charges with Solar Energy Assistance Expected to Launch in 2024
The first model from the company will be the Lightyear One, as mentioned above. The electric car that uses solar energy to charge its battery is a sedan measuring 5.05 meters in length and features a long, tapered body as its main characteristic. It stands at a height of 1.4 meters, and to achieve the best possible aerodynamics, it has fluid lines.
To avoid excessive weight, Lightyear plans to use a medium-sized battery of 60 kWh, which, according to the company, will allow the solar-powered electric car a range of 710 kilometers when combined with its 1,300 kilos.
The One will operate with 4 electric motors, one in each wheel, which the company states is a configuration that is up to 3 times more efficient than the most common setup. Lightyear also highlights the solar energy panels that will enable the recovery of approximately 60 km of range daily.
About Lightyear
Founded in 2016, Lightyear operates in 14 countries and employs 128 dedicated, experienced, and innovative staff. The company always seeks to maximize the efficiency of its projects, which feature technologies such as powertrains, solar roofs, and thermal management systems. Its headquarters is located at the Automotive Campus in Helmond, near the Brainport region of the Netherlands.
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