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What we know about the solar electric car
Let's take a look at the first solar-powered electric car and its benefits.
The innovative Lightyear 0 took six years to develop before going into production. Lightyear set itself an ambitious goal: to be able to deliver this new high-tech vehicle, the world's first solar-powered electric car.
In addition, the announcement of the Lightyear follows on from another solar electric car concept, the Sono Siondeveloped by German company Sono Motors, with production scheduled for the second half of 2023.
Read also : Sono Sion: a solar-powered car long-awaited for 2023
Lightyear 0: a autonomy thanks to the sun?
So how does this new Lightyear 0 work? The Lightyear 0 is equipped with solar panels installed in the vehicleThis means it can be driven for several months without needing to be recharged.
This is a real innovation in electric cars. In fact, this solar panel solution would put an end to the obstacle of frequent recharging, while reducing the dependence of electrified vehicles on recharging stations.
The use of solar energy to recharge electric cars would also help to alleviate the recurring problem of a lack of electricity. charging stations in certain regions.
Read also : New financial aid for the installation of pay stations at small service stations
This solar panel concept will enable the electric car to recharge itself autonomously, simply by being exposed to the sun, even while it's on the move.
In order to monitor the vehicle's fuel consumption, the Lightyear 0 will be equipped with a interactive and connected interfaceThe car's remaining range is shown in real-time updates.
The information available on the interface will include :
- state of charge
- remaining battery life
- the amount of solar energy absorbed by the solar panels
A revolution also for its battery electric
This solar-powered electric car is a clear innovation in the design of electric vehicles. The Lightyear 0 is equipped with a 60 kWh electric battery, lighter than electric cars with a similar range.
This, too, is a significant advantage, helping to reduce the weight of the vehicle and therefore the carbon emissions released during the manufacturing process of the electric car.
Read also : ADEME: why opt for a lighter battery for your electric car?
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The specific features of solar-powered electric cars
Eco-responsible design
In terms of design, Lightyear has opted for the predominant use of ecological and renewable materialsThis is in keeping with the ecological aspect that this solar-powered electric car emphasises.
In terms of the electric vehicle's exterior design, the Lightyear 0 uses panels made from recycled carbon and materials derived from carbon residues, covering an area of 5 m². What's more, the bodywork is made exclusively from recycled fibres.
The exterior of the Lightyear 0 stands out in particular for one detail: the absence of rear-view mirrors. In fact, the Lightyear has done away with rear-view mirrors in favour of four cameras covering the rear, parking and side views of the vehicle.
The interior of the Lightyear 0 is made from vegetable leather and other 100% materials of vegetable and natural origin, with fabrics made from recycled bottles. For the design, the emphasis was placed on a search foroptimisation and weight reduction of the electric vehicle by using lighter materials such as carbon and aluminium.
The Lightyear 0 has a passenger compartment that can accommodate up to five people. It's also worth noting that Lightyear's electric car is designed as a electric family car and not as a electric city car.
Read also : Top 5 best electric family cars
Performance: not for fast drivers?
However, the Dutch brand has not opted to focus on the performance of its Lightyear 0, but rather on its dimension. efficient and autonomousand the energy sobriety that characterises it.
The figures are far from record-breaking, with a maximum speed of 160 km/h and an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in ten seconds.
However, this lack of performance is covered by a very low consumption.
In fact, the Lightyear 0 is expected to consume just 10.5 kWh per 100 km/h, making this solar-powered electric car a "must have". very low energy consumption and therefore highly environmentally friendly.
Read also : Top 8 most fuel-efficient electric cars
Ideal range for short journeys
As for the range of the Lightyear 0, this should be between 560 and 1000 km. A wide range, then, which will depend above all on the climatic factor and the amount of sunshine available to recharge the solar electric car.
The maximum daily distance claimed is 70 kilometres, which means you can drive the Lightyear 0 without having to recharge it. The aim is for drivers who only make short daily journeys to be able to drive for several months without needing to recharge their vehicle. Of course, this would only be possible if the electric car could be exposed to the sun on a regular basis. which, depending on the climate, would make it possible to travel between 6,000 and 11,000 km free of charge over the course of a year.
It will also be possible to recharge the Lightyear 0 using a standard plug if required, to recover 30 km of range per hour of recharging. The maximum recharging power compatible with the Lightyear 0 is not very high, because it is only 50 kW. At this power, however, the electric car can be recharged quickly and almost completely in an hour.
Read also : How do you recharge your electric car?
Too high a price for an environmentally-friendly car?
On the negative side, the Lightyear 0 is far from being an affordable vehicle. In fact, the price of this first prototype of the Lightyear 0 should fetch €250,000This makes it an electric car in the very top-of-the-range segment.
Lightyear's ambitions
While production of this first model of solar electric car is only planned in limited quantities, the Dutch company has greater ambitions for the future of solar electric mobility.
Lightyear is planning series production of new solar electric vehicle models in the near future. under the name Lightyear 2This time, they're much more affordable, at a price of around €30,000.
These forecasts point to a potentially fruitful future for solar-powered vehicles, starting in the next few years.
