This month, six years of innovation came to a crescendo on the global stage as we launched the world's first production-ready solar car.
On 9 June, Lightyear 0 was unveiled in an online global premiere. Here, we showcased our final design, the car’s unique specifications and revolutionary capabilities. The core technologies that make Lightyear 0 unique — a front-runner in efficiency — were outlined as we revisited our roots, mission and strategy.
That’s important, because our first and exclusive series Lightyear 0 will pave the way for an ambitious mission, stretching as far as every corner of the earth. Clean mobility for everyone, everywhere.
Why Lightyear 0?
The automotive industry needs to change its course. Every year, all cars drive 9,460,000,000,000 fossil-fuelled kilometres. That’s a lot. In fact, it’s a light-year. It’s our goal to have the world drive one light-year on solar power by 2035.
Lex Hoefsloot, Co-founder and CEO, explains: “electric cars are a step in the right direction, but they have a scaling problem. By 2030, we can expect 84 million electric vehicles (EVs) on roads in Europe alone.
“There’s no hiding from it, access to charging stations will not keep up with the demand for electric cars. To minimise plug-charging and maximise range, the industry’s strategy, so far, has been to add batteries. That increases the carbon footprint of production and, in turn, boosts weight and the need for high-power charging stations.
“Our strategy flips that approach. Lightyear 0 delivers more range with less battery, reducing weight and CO₂ emissions per vehicle.”
Lightyear 0 in numbers — Core specifications
Lightyear 0 is inspired by nature’s careful balance, and so are we. We designed a car with its own ecosystem of efficiency — balanced and dimensional — built to perform where it matters most. Everyday life.
Charging reinvented
The optimised solar roof and holistic design mean that the car can drive for weeks, even months, without charging.
In cloudy climates, based on the average commute of around 35 kilometres per day, you can drive for up to two months before you need to think about charging. In sunnier countries, that could be up to seven months.
And with our technology, any power outlet in the world becomes a charging station. Plugged into a regular home socket, Lightyear 0 can still charge 32 kilometres of range per hour.
And for Lightyear 0, range doesn’t start and finish with plugs and sockets. The sun is its source.
Built sustainably
Sustainable design is stitched into every seam of Lightyear 0’s high-quality interior. It’s vegan and eco-friendly, featuring plant-based leather, fabrics made from recycled PET bottles and wooden deco elements from sustainably-restructured rattan palm.
Lightyear 0’s outer body panels are also made from reclaimed carbon; residual carbon fibre materials that would otherwise go to waste.
When will Lightyear 0 be delivered?
2022 is a big, bright year for mobility. Solar cars are about to shine on roads across Europe.
In June, the very first test drives will be offered. In fall we’ll start-up production, with the first cars reaching their drivers in November.
Lightyear 0 might be landing in a city near you, soon. Subscribe to our mailing list to make sure you don’t miss a moment of the adventure.
