All newsBlog

A bold, bright strategy — “Lightyear 0 is the stepping stone to make solar electric cars accessible to the masses”

3 min reading time

Lightyear 0 is the world’s first solar-powered car, and so much more. Its innovation will speed up the development of our next affordable model, Lightyear 2. Read on to discover the bold and unorthodox strategy designed to accelerate solar mobility.

This year, we made automotive history by launching our solar electric vehicle (SEV), Lightyear 0. While you might have learnt its unique capabilities, you might not know just how close it already brings us to our next, mass market model, Lightyear 2.

These two revolutionary cars forge the first and second steps of a bold strategy that reinvents clean, scalable mobility that’s better for the planet, and better for you.

Step 1, strategy that proves and validates — Lightyear 0

Our ambitious mission demanded an off-script strategy that shook the world of automotive.

In bringing solar electric mobility to the world, we had to forge a pioneering new reality. It was here, amid kindred spirits, shared mindsets and a tenacious vision, that Lightyear 0 was born.

Lightyear Co-founder and CEO, Lex Hoefsloot, said: “Delivering our first solar car is a critical step, but we know it won't create the impact we're aiming for. It’s widely unaccessible, except for an exclusive audience of first customers and investors dedicated to pioneering change.

“But our mission aims to make sustainable mobility accessible to everyone, and Lightyear 0 is the stepping stone that will make it happen. All of the work and resource put into our first car will accelerate our next.”

Step 2, strategy that scales and accelerates — Lightyear 2

If Lightyear 0 is a stepping stone, Lightyear 2 is a leap.

The research and development plied into Lightyear 0 gives Lightyear 2 a headstart, not only in developing an even more efficient and capable car, but in making it accessible with a competitive market price. It’s our goal to bring it to the world by 2025.

The bright and boundless potential of solar electric cars

Imagine driving through the vast and wild, without emissions or fear of a draining battery. The sun, your source. You'll see ecosystems that evolve continuously to achieve balance. Sequences of give and take are what keep our earth alive and thriving, and Lightyear cars are built with that ethos in mind.

Every detail of design and build has been carefully considered, tested and iterated, from aerodynamics and powertrain to battery, to minimise energy consumption and maximise performance where it matters most: everyday life.

This kind of efficiency halves the cost of charging, gives you the power to drive for months without plugs or sockets and, importantly, the means to experience our beautiful world without taxing it.

Infinite and effortless power

For us, the potential of solar mobility is as broad as the horizon. In the same way the sun’s power pours over our planet infinitely, we create cars that move through it effortlessly.

Next in our mobility series, we’ll explain the need for a new vein of electric cars that relieve strain on the global power grid by using solar power.

But we can’t drive change alone. We rely on our visionary community that see the same bright future, ready to spread the message of clean mobility.

Subscribe to our mailing list to stay informed about every beat of the adventure — it’s only just beginning.

Subscribe to our mailing list to help turn the wheels of change

I agree with Lightyear processing my personal data in line with its privacy policy.

Related articles

Signup for our newsletter to stay up to date with all stories and updates.

All stories>

Our take — How clean mobility can transform the future

Mobility matters — But what does it really mean for our planet and its people?

A feeling of freedom — “In 10 years everyone will drive a Lightyear, how beautiful is that?”

About Lightyear

We design for independence and convenience. We create clean solar electric cars that can drive off-grid and into all of life's adventures.

Follow us

European Flag Icon

This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 848620