Lightyear 0: The Solar Electric Car Becomes a Reality
This page is translated from the original post "Lightyear 0 : la voiture électrique solaire devient réalité" in French.
- 05/12/2022 17:30
Lightyear begins the production of its first 100% electric model capable of gaining 70 km of range per day through solar panels.
After six years of obstacles and triumphs, the ambitious Lightyear project is finally coming to fruition. In Finland, it plans to produce one car per week before significantly increasing its output starting in the first quarter of 2023.
The first solar electric car
Thanks to the 5m2 of solar panels installed on the vehicle, the Lightyear 0 is expected to cover between 6,000 and 11,000 kilometers per year. These values are, of course, to be taken with caution, depending on where the owners live. The Lightyear sedan is powered by four electric motors with a combined power of 172 horsepower.
Another technological achievement by Lightyear, engineers also sought to minimize weight by adopting a carbon structure and an aluminum chassis. In the end, the weight of 1.575 tons remains quite light for a vehicle of this size. It’s only slightly heavier than a Renault Megane electric.
Lightyear prioritizes efficiency
Aerodynamics is another crucial foundation for Lightyear. With a drag coefficient of 0.1775, a record in automobile manufacturing. The 0 benefits from four wheel motors, connected to a battery management system, making it one of the most efficient vehicles on the road, with energy losses kept to a minimum.
Performance metrics are intentionally modest. The Dutch sedan accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 10 seconds, four seconds slower than the least powerful Tesla Model Y. Yet, the Lightyear 0 has another impressive feature: it consumes just 10.5 kWh per 100 km at a steady 100 km/h. This allows it to travel more than 600 km on a single charge. The sun can also provide extra energy during driving phases. However, to own this technological marvel, you will need to spend no less than €250,000. An exorbitant price for some, but the Dutch brand asserts that the Lightyear 2 will be more affordable.
Read also: Sono Sion, an affordable solar electric car
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