Dutch start-up unveils the world’s ‘first long-range solar car’

Lightyear a Dutch start-up has revealed why they claim to be the world’s first car company that has made the first long-range solar car.

The company claims the car is has a range of 450 miles on a single charge, the bonnet and roof comprise of solar cells with a battery that can be electrically charged.

The clean mobility revolution has begun. Lightyear One, the world's first long-range solar car.
→ https://t.co/VtVnxzk2SH#Lightyear #LightyearOne #unveiling #anewdawn #cleanmobility #solarcar pic.twitter.com/X5GTQ73UF8

— Lightyear (@lightyear_cars) June 25, 2019

Lightyear One solar car is thought to be delivered in 2021 and will cost customers a whopping £106,000.

Lightyear chief executive Lex Hoefsloot said, “Climate change is one of the biggest problems that we humans have faced in our history.

“It is such a frightening development that it is almost paralysing. We decided to do the opposite; as engineers, we believed we could do something.
“Lightyear One represents a huge opportunity to change mobility for the better. For centuries, we have lived in balance with nature. With the technologies of today, we have the opportunity to do so again.

“By starting from scratch and using the laws of nature as a guideline, nature becomes our greatest ally in developing ultra-efficient designs.”

100 cars have already been reserved and just 500 of the solar cars will initially be produced. The vehicle can use regular sockets to charge up as well as charging stations.

A new dawn is coming. Tomorrow.
→ https://t.co/w0wF3UgpR2 #Lightyear #LightyearOne #unveiling #mobilityrevolution #sustainablemobility #solarcar pic.twitter.com/MpfsEhlzQL

— Lightyear (@lightyear_cars) June 24, 2019

Hoefsloot said, Since new technology has a high unit cost, we have to start in an exclusive market; Lightyear One is the first long-range solar car and has staggering specifications.

“The next models we plan to develop will have significantly lower purchase prices. In addition, future models will be provided to autonomous and shared car fleets, so the purchase price can be divided amongst a large group of users.

“Combined with the low operating costs of the vehicle, we aim to provide premium mobility for a low price per kilometre.

“A third, final step will be to provide truly sustainable cars that are more affordable to use than the cost of gas you need to drive a combustion car.

“This will prove to be our most important tipping point in the near future, and it will pave the way for a car fleet that is 100% sustainable.”