We recently presented the Lightyear 0, an electric car covered with 5 square meters of solar panels supposed to provide it with 70 kilometers more autonomy per day in optimal sunshine conditions.
So many free kilometers which would be added to the 625 promised by the battery.
Problem: the Lightyear is very expensive (about €250,000), bulky (5 m long) and not really practical given that it has no rear window.
Never mind, a more affordable model announced at 30,000 € is already in the boxes and should arrive by 2025.
Solar technology… luxury
But Lightyear does not intend to stop there.
The Dutch manufacturer has indeed partnered with the Swedish Koenigsegg, known for its hyper-sports.
In fact, it's quite the opposite, since it was Koenigsegg who invested in Lightyear.
Through this investment, the two companies wish to exchange their technologies.
It is not known what interests Lightyear in Koenigsegg, on the other hand, the latter is particularly interested in solar cells.
Solar technology… more affordable
Another solar model that should arrive soon, the Sion.
Developed by a German start-up, Sono Motors, the Sion comes in the form of a classic people carrier less than 4.5m long.
Its body is covered with 456 photovoltaic cells which should provide an average of 112 km of “free” autonomy per week, more than a third of what the battery offers with a capacity of 54 kWh (announced autonomy of 305 km) .
This model should be assembled by the Finnish manufacturer Valmet.
Sono Motors has announced a sale price of €25,000.
Production is expected to start in the second half of 2023.
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