Lightyear One

The Lightyear One is a prototype all-electric solar car. Announced on 25 June 2019, production is scheduled to start in 2021.[2]

Lightyear One
Lightyear One at Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2019
Overview
TypeSolar car
ManufacturerLightyear
Production2019 (expected)
AssemblyHelmond, Netherlands
DesignerGranstudio[1]
Body and chassis
Body style5-door Liftback
Layoutwheel hub motor, four-wheel-drive
Powertrain
EngineElectric, 80 kW
Electric range725 km (450 miles)
Dimensions
Curb weight~ 1,300 kg (2,866 lb)

Description

The Lightyear One is a large hatchback, with the bonnet, roof and boot clad with 5 m2 (54 sq ft) of solar panels, with a WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure) range of 725 km (450 miles) and designed with a drag coefficient of Cd=0.20. The company Lightyear claims there are 1,000 solar panels across the car that can add 50–65 km (30–40 miles) of range per day during summer.[3][4]

The car is all-wheel drive, with four in-wheel electric hub motors powered by a low-mounted battery.[2] It seats five adults and luggage.[4]

History

The solar panel design was born out of the Solar Team Eindhoven's solar-powered cars for the World Solar Challenge. Design work on the One was carried out together with GranStudio in Italy.[5]

Availability

Preorders for the car with expected market availability at the end of 2021.[4][6]

References
  1. "Lightyear One (2019) – Designing a super efficient family car that charges under the sun". Turin: GranStudio. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  2. Wilkinson, Luke (25 June 2019). "Lightyear unveils long-range solar-electric car". Auto Express. UK. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
  3. Potts, Greg (26 June 2019). "The Lightyear One is a long-range solar-powered EV". Top Gear. UK. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
  4. "Lightyear One: Hands-on with a solar-powered car with 440-mile range". Venture Beat.
  5. Vijayenthiran, Viknesh (25 June 2019). "Dutch EV startup". Motor Authority. US. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
  6. "Meet the Latest Car in the Solar Automotives Race. It's Self-Charging". Polyarch Co. US. 25 August 2019. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
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