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 First solar-powered car goes on sale infographic
Graphic shows details of the Lightyear 0 solar car.
GN42825EN

TECH

Solar car can drive for months without recharging

By Ninian Carter

June 15, 2022 - A Dutch firm is bringing to market the world’s first production-ready solar-powered car, the “Lightyear 0”, if you have $263,000 to hand.

Not to be confused for a craft belonging to Pixar’s Buzz Lightyear, although its advanced technology would not be out of place, the “Lightyear 0” is the world’s first production-ready solar-powered car.

Dutch startup Lightyear, plans to commence deliveries of its model 0 solar car in 2022, with an initial batch of 949 vehicles being made available.

The car features five square metres of high-efficiency silicon solar cells across the bonnet, roof and tailgate, which the manufacturer claims will charge its electric battery enough to provide a 70-kilometre (43-mile) driving range every day, in summer conditions.

The car can also be charged in the conventional manner, via home or public EV charging station, giving the vehicle a total driving range of more than 700 kilometres (435 miles) on a single charge.

According to prototype testing, the model 0 is capable of driving without charging for two months in Amsterdam during the summer and seven months charge-free in Portugal. One wonders how long it could last in the even sunnier climes of somewhere like Dubai?

The Lightyear 0 will be manufactured in Finland by Valmet Automotive, and following the initially small production run, a more affordable $32,000 model is planned for release in late 2024 or early 2025.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 15/06/2022; STORY: Graphic News
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