The Lightyear 0 (formerly the Lightyear One) is an all-solar-electric car by the Dutch car manufacturer Lightyear. Production was originally scheduled to start in 2021, with a starting price of €250,000 incl. VAT. The first units were delivered in December 2022.[4] In January 2023, Lightyear announced that it was halting production of the 0 model, and that Atlas Technologies B.V., the subsidiary responsible for the manufacture of the Lightyear 0, would be allowed to go bankrupt. After a restart and new investments the manufacturer is now focusing on a more affordable model, Lightyear 2.[5]
The Lightyear 0 is a large fastback, with the bonnet, roof, and boot clad covered with 5 m2 (54 sq ft) of solar cells, producing a WLTP range of 625 km (388 miles). The Lightyear company claims the 782 solar cells across the car can add 70 km (43.5 miles) of range per day during summer.[6][7] The aerodynamics of the vehicle were stated to produce a record-low drag coefficient of Cd=0.175.
The car is all-wheel drive, with four in-wheel electric hub motors powered by a low-mounted battery.[8] It seats five adults and luggage.[7]
Announced on 25 June 2019, production was scheduled to start in 2021, mentioning a starting price of €119,000 excl. VAT.[8] In September 2021, Lightyear were reported to have raised to bring the vehicle to production, and delivering the first units in 2022, for €250,000 excl. VAT.[10] The company announced in December 2022 that production had begun, at a rate of one car per week. Availability was limited to customers in the EU, Switzerland, Norway and the UK.[4] However, in January 2023 Lightyear announced that it was halting production of the 0 model, redirecting their efforts towards production of Lightyear 2; Atlas Technologies B.V., the subsidiary responsible for the manufacture of the Lightyear 0, would be allowed to go bankrupt.[11][12] As of 2023[update], the replacement, Lightyear 2, is slated to be US$40,000 and available in both Europe and North America, and to start production in 2025.[13]
