The future of solar EVs dims: Lightyear is bankrupt, Sion fights for its life, Aptera on the brink
It’s been a real tough month for the few but extremely innovative solar EV companies out here. Having just announced a shifting of its business strategy and a request to suspend all payments to its operating company, Lightyear has officially declared bankruptcy. Sono Motors’ flagship solar EV, the Sion, is staring down a similar barrel, as the startup fights to raise more funds to keep it alive. Meanwhile, Aptera has a production-intent design, but still needs millions of dollars to get it to production.
Expand Expanding CloseLightyear zeroes out 0 production to focus on more affordable Lightyear 2 solar EV, following encouraging wait list registrations
Less than two months after its official start of production, Lightyear has suddenly suspended all assembly of its flagship 0 solar EV. Instead, the Dutch company says it will shift all focus and resources on the development and production of its second model – the Lightyear 2. This comes as a bit of a shock and begs the question whether Lightyear will have the funds to get its second solar EV model into scaled production.
Expand Expanding CloseLightyear 2 waitlist goes live, 500+ mile range solar EV priced below $40K for US customers
Less than a month after kicking off production of its flagship solar EV the 0, Lightyear has begun teasing images of its second, much more affordable model, the Lightyear 2. Following an announcement this morning, Lightyear has opened up its waitlist to pre-order the Lightyear 2, which will be sold in the US, UK, and Europe. It promises to deliver over 500 miles of range on a single charge with the help of our Sun and start at an MSRP below $40,000.
Expand Expanding CloseLightyear wins race to market with start of solar EV production in Finland
Just six years after what began as a solar vehicle competition among students, Lightyear has reached a watershed moment in clean mobility. Today, the company officially kicked off the start of production for the Lightyear 0 solar EV at Valmet Automotive in Uusikaupunki, Finland, and we were fortunate enough to be the only US media outlet in attendance. Today not only proves that solar EVs are possible, but also scalable, kicking off an even more sustainable echelon of zero-emission mobility.
Expand Expanding CloseLightyear 0 solar EV dethrones GM’s EV1 as the most aerodynamic production car ever made
As it sits mere months away from bringing its first solar EV to market, Lightyear is once again showcasing the potential of its Lightyear 0. Following a series of drag-coefficient tests in Germany under WLTP conditions, the Lightyear 0 SEV should hit the market as the most aerodynamic production car ever built. Its test numbers shatter a title held by GM’s EV1 dating back to the late ’90s.
Expand Expanding Close$30k Lightyear 2 solar EV targeted for 2025 as company secures another $80 million in funding
Solar EV manufacturer Lightyear has welcomed another fresh round of investment capital to help get its first vehicle – the Lightyear 0 – into production this year while furthering development of its second SEV, the Lightyear 2. The €81 million (~$80M) round is led by Invest-NL, who funds businesses and projects that are working to make the Netherlands more sustainable and innovative.
Expand Expanding CloseLightyear announces Koenigsegg as investor and ‘technology-sharing partner’ for future EVs, like Lightyear 2
Solar EV manufacturer Lightyear has announced Swedish high-performance sports car manufacturer Koenigsegg as its latest investor. Furthermore, the latter will join Lightyear in a “technology-sharing partnership” in which both automakers will share proprietary and patented information to develop ultra-efficient vehicles like the upcoming Lightyear 2.
Expand Expanding CloseFirst drive in the Lightyear 0: A genuine solar EV is closer than ever to becoming reality
For the last decade, the cofounders at Lightyear have been working to defy one single, formidable statement – a solar EV cannot be done. Although Lightyear has work to do before its newly rebranded Lightyear 0 solar EV begins production this year, its latest production intent prototype is quite close to becoming the real deal for the naysayers, and I was lucky enough to be one of the first people outside its creators to drive it.
Expand Expanding CloseLightyear launches production version of its flagship solar EV, renamed the Lightyear 0
During an online global premiere today, solar EV startup Lightyear unveiled the final production-ready design of its first vehicle, the Lightyear 0, formerly known as the Lightyear One. After six years of development, the Lightyear 0 is available for order ahead of first deliveries this fall.
Expand Expanding CloseLightyear partners with MyWheels to supply over 5,000 SEV models to car sharing platform
Solar electric vehicle (SEV) developer Lightyear has announced a partnership with The Sharing Group, whose MyWheels car sharing platform is currently the market leader in the Netherlands. As part of the agreement, Lightyear will provide 5,000 units of the Lightyear Two – its second SEV – which has yet to be revealed, in 2025. Additionally, some models of the Lightyear One SEV will join the MyWheels platform in 2023.
Expand Expanding CloseLightyear One’s recent performance testing shows it will arrive as one of the most efficient vehicles in the world, even in suboptimal conditions
Solar Electric Vehicle (SEV) startup Lightyear has updated the public on the progress of its flagship vehicle, the Lightyear One by sharing recent test footage. The tests took place at Bridgestone’s European Proving Ground (EUPG) in Aprilia, Italy, where the Lightyear One was tested in aerodynamics, tire performance, and efficiency at high speeds. The results were quite encouraging.
Expand Expanding CloseLightyear announces ~$34,000 solar electric car
Lightyear, a startup known for developing an expensive solar car, announced its second vehicle, and it’s going to be a much less expensive ~$34,000 solar electric car.
Expand Expanding CloseSibros to provide OTA connected vehicle systems for the Lightyear One SEV
Connected vehicle system developer Sibros has added another EV OEM to its list of collaborators by sharing that it will provide Lightyear with its proprietary technology. As the automaker looks to bring its Lightyear One SEV to production in 2022, it will come equipped with over-the-air (OTA) software update capabilities and data management from Sibros.
Expand Expanding CloseWatch the latest Lightyear One prototype endure durability testing
EV startup Lightyear has shared the progress of its upcoming Lightyear One solar electric vehicle (SEV) in the form of durability testing with its latest prototype. The video footage shows the Lightyear One prototype navigating a proving grounds track and taxing terrain to ensure the SEV is top quality when it reaches its limited series production next year.
Expand Expanding CloseLightyear raises $110 million to bring its $170,000 ‘solar’ electric car to market
Lightyear, a startup developing electric solar cars, has announced a significant $110 million round of financing to bring its first vehicle to market.
A lot of money is being raised in the EV sector right now.
Expand Expanding CloseEinride partners with Bridgestone as its exclusive US EV tire supplier
Autonomous Class 8 EV developer Einride announced a partnership with Bridgestone to co-develop safer and more efficient solutions for commercial fleet EVs. Through the partnership, Bridgestone becomes the exclusive tire supplier to Einride’s electric and autonomous trucks in the US. In turn, Einride will provide trucks and digital services to Bridgestone’s logistic network to help electrify a majority of its transports by 2025.
Expand Expanding CloseLightyear One to be manufactured in Finland by Valmet Automotive
EV startup Lightyear has announced a letter of intent with contract manufacturer Valmet Automotive as a production partner of its upcoming Lightyear One solar electric vehicle (SEV). Through this new partnership, prototypes of the Lightyear One will be built in January 2022, with an exclusive series production to follow in the summer.
Expand Expanding CloseLightyear One prototype delivers 441 miles on 60kWh (+3.45kWh solar) in latest track test
The latest prototype of the Lightyear One solar electric vehicle (SEV) has recently delivered tremendous range, all packed into a ~60 kWh battery pack. This full cycle driving test, conducted on a test track in Germany, has given the Lightyear team great insights and validation as it looks to deliver its Lightyear One SEV next year.
Expand Expanding CloseExclusive: Bridgestone partners with Lightyear for custom tires on Lightyear One SEV
During a virtual event held earlier today, EV automaker Lightyear and Bridgestone have announced a partnership focused on sustainability that has resulted in a tire engineered specifically for the Lightyear One SEV. The companies consider today’s announcement a world premiere for this unique and efficient tire that can maximize range and sustainability for EVs moving forward.
Expand Expanding CloseEV startup Lightyear announces largest round of funding yet
The Dutch EV startup Lightyear has announced the closing of a new funding round of $48 million. The EV manufacturer specializing in solar paneled roofs made the announcement via a press release today. The new investment is Lightyear’s largest financing to date. It will use the funds to support growth toward the first customer deliveries of its Lightyear One exclusive series car.
Expand Expanding CloseTesla Model 3 gets a solar roof thanks to Lightyear
A Tesla Model 3 has been modified with a solar roof as part of Lightyear’s solar car development program.
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Lightyear unveils its ‘solar’ electric car with 450 miles of range
The Lightyear One, a new solar-powered electric car developed by several times Solar Challenge winners, has been unveiled today and the startup claims an unbelievable range of 450 miles (725 km) on a single charge.
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Creators of record-breaking solar car launch startup to sell street-legal version
Solar Team Eindhoven, a group of engineering students from the Technical University of Eindhoven (Netherlands), has been competing in the World Solar Challenge with their Stella and Stella Lux, energy positive solar cars – meaning that they can produce more energy than they consume.
Some of the students responsible for the vehicles have now launched a new startup to make a commercial street-legal version of the car.
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