Lightyear to Produce Solar-Cell Powered EVs

Lightyear introduced the Lightyear 0, which will be the first EV powered by solar panels. Production of its first batch will start in autumn 2022. Initially, only 946 units will be manufactured but Lightyear expects to eventually start large-scale production.

“Our first and exclusive series Lightyear 0 will pave the way for an ambitious mission, stretching as far as every corner of the earth. Clean mobility for everyone, everywhere,” says Lightyear.

The vehicle has motors in each of its four wheels to avoid large energy losses and incorporates 5-m2 solar cells that can power 70 km of driving range per day. The vehicle can also be charged as a regular EV but its solar roof allows the car to drive for months without charging. Lightyear 0 has unique aerodynamics and a record-breaking drag coefficient of less than 0.19. “It is lightweight and it has a low carbon footprint. We are pushing for efficiency because it provides more convenience and provides more range,” said Lex Hoefsloot, CEO and Co-founder, Lightyear.

The vehicle’s other features are aligned with sustainable practices. The Lightyear 0 is eco-friendly and uses plant-based leather, fabrics made from PET bottles and elements from sustainably restructured rattan palm. Its outer body contains reclaimed carbon and residual carbon materials. The use of recycled materials in vehicles is gaining popularity among automakers because sustainable value chains are becoming more important for the industry, as reported by PWC.

Lightyear wants the world to drive one light-year on solar power by 2035. The brand recognized that electrification is a step toward a greener future, but questions some strategies implemented to achieve this goal “There is no hiding from it, access to charging stations will not keep up with the demand for electric cars. To minimize plug-charging and maximize range, the industry’s strategy, so far, has been to add batteries. That increases the carbon footprint of production and, in turn, boosts weight and the need for high-power charging stations. Our strategy flips that approach. Lightyear 0 delivers more range with less battery, reducing weight and CO₂ emissions per vehicle, ” says Lightyear.

While EVs contribute to the reduction of local road pollutants and CO2 emissions, EV’s batteries (EVB) have been linked to negative environmental effects. Although lithium is not toxic by itself, lithium-ion batteries contain cobalt, nickel and manganese, which are toxic heavy metals, as reported by MBN.

This is one of the reasons that have made some industry players reluctant to embrace the implementation of an aggressive electrification strategy. Toyota, for example, claims that a fast transition to EVs could increase pollution if the energy is sourced from fossil fuels.