Lightyear 0 solar-powered car revealed with 2022 delivery date

Lightyear has unveiled the Lightyear 0, a solar-powered car. The company says it has approached the race to replace fossil-fuelled vehicles differently, aiming to deliver a more extended range by manufacturing a lighter car with fewer carbon dioxide emissions.

The Lightyear 0 weighs 1,575 kg (3,472 lbs) and has a 625 km (~388 miles) range thanks to a 60 kWh battery pack. The car will be able to gain 70 km (~43 miles) each day from the solar panel on the vehicle's roof, up to 11,000 km (~6,835 miles) annually. Lightyear estimates that in a cloudy climate, commuting 35 km (~22 miles) per day, you would be able to travel for up to two months before you would need to charge.

In a sunnier environment, the estimate increases to around seven months. If you need to use electricity, the battery can charge at 32 km (~20 miles) per hour via a regular household plug. The EV's top speed is 160 kph (~99 mph), and the car has a built-in 10.1-in touchscreen display.

Initial test drives of the Lightyear 0 will be available from June, with the first cars expected to be delivered to customers in November. You can now pre-order the vehicle, which will cost €250,000 (~US$260,947). It's worth noting that the company only plans to make 946 units, with a less expensive vehicle already in the works.

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