Need an electric car that can go to infinity and beyond without recharging?
Say hello to Lightyear 0. It has nothing to do with Pixar or Buzz Lightyear – instead, it’s a new electric vehicle (EV) with the hope of greening all other electric vehicles by harnessing the power of the sun directly.
If the Lightyear 0 looks familiar, that’s because it’s a production version of the Lightyear One prototype announced in 2021. It features some design changes, mostly limited to the lights and camera.
All have 5 square meters of solar panels on the bonnet, roof of the Lightyear 0 and the area where the rear windshield is normally located.
According to Lightyear, curved solar panels can add up to 70 kilometers of driving per day or 11,000 kilometers per year, assuming you live in southern Spain and the skies are clear.
Farther north in more cloudy countries, such as the Netherlands, solar output would drop by about 20km per day. Depending on your driving style, the Lightyear 0 can operate without plugging in for months.
Although it is only equipped with a small capacity of 60kWh, the Lightyear 0 is said to have a WLTP rated range of 625km.
That’s thanks in part to the super-slick bodywork, which partially covers the rear wheels, aero wheels, and a camera in place of traditional wing mirrors.
With a drag coefficient (Cd) below 0.19, it will be the world’s best aerodynamic production car to date. For comparison, the most economical version of the new Mercedes-Benz EQS has a Cd of 0.20.
Performance is also – to put it mildly – leisurely. Despite being equipped with four wheeled motors, the Lightyear 0 still has a time from 0-100 km / h in 10 seconds. Top speed is said to be 160km/h.
Finally, the Lightyear 0 is said to weigh just 1575kg thanks to a body made from recycled carbon fiber and extensive use of aluminum throughout the structure.
In order to achieve a slick shape and maximize space for the solar array, the Lightyear 0 is a big monster, measuring 5083mm long, 1972mm wide and 1445mm tall.
The cabin features naturally sourced vegan-friendly fabrics and a 10.1-inch infotainment system running Android Automotive operating system.
There is seating for up to five people and the boot can hold 610L of luggage with all seats.
Lightyear says it will begin delivering test drives in August, and production begins around that time as well. The first deliveries in Europe are expected to arrive in November.
Prices start at €250,000 ($379,000) before any local sales taxes are added. Production will be limited to a maximum of 946 units per year.
The company is working on a (significantly) more affordable model – around €30,000 ($45,000) – that could go into production by 2025.
