The Solar Car Lightyear Takes a Step Back

Unfortunately, the vicious cycle has not reversed for Lightyear. The Dutch startup, facing serious financial difficulties, must give up.

Lightyear was in trouble and could no longer hide it. The manufacturer was initially forced to abandon its first model, the 0, even before its commercialization. Focused on the Lightyear 2, which was theoretically set to be released in 2025, the company had to face the beginning of the year with the bankruptcy of Atlas Technologies B.V, the entity responsible for producing its solar car. Despite announcing 20,000 pre-orders, the goal was too ambitious to reach the production stage, and Lightyear is forced to close the curtain on a project that was once promising.

Storm clouds gather over Lightyear

The Lightyear 2 had everything to appeal with its harmonious lines despite a considerable length of 5.08 meters. Very streamlined, it boasted an aerodynamic coefficient among the best in the world.

Its special feature was, of course, the integration of solar panels on the front hood and the roof extending to the rear. Fully charged and under a radiant sun, the Lightyear 2 was expected to offer about 800 kilometers of range with “the lowest environmental footprint on the market”. Unfortunately for Lightyear, competitors did not just wait and have achieved impressive range improvements in their electric vehicles. Why depend on the sun when you can travel the same distance at night or in the rain with just one charge?

An electric vehicle not sufficiently solar

The brand aimed to sell it for around 40,000 euros. This price was intended to ensure the Lightyear 2 would outperform a Tesla Model 3 with equivalent performance and features, at a lower cost. No regrets, as it is already certain that in 2025 Tesla will do much better for much less. Therefore, the Lightyear 2 will not have the chance to popularize the solar car, assuming the concept has a real future in the short term.