With the increased interest in renewable and sustainable energy systems across the globe, Solar powered cars have come to the fore, as the future of the automotive industry gradually drifts from the production of cars that use fuel to solar-powered cars.
Lightyear, a Dutch startup developing a long-range hybrid solar-powered car, recently announced that it has raised the sum of $81 million as it prepares to commence production of its first vehicle in the coming months.
While recent history is littered with examples of prototype solar-powered vehicles, the burgeoning electric car movement has so far been mostly limited to automobiles that need to be plugged into the grid to charge, or hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) that self-charge while driving.
As automotive makers are venturing into the manufacturing of electric cars, they discovered that recharging of batteries, among a range of other issues has been the Achilles heel of electric cars.
A large majority of them believe that Solar powered cars are the ideal solution, as these cars can run smoothly at night even without the presence of sunlight.
It is interesting to note that Lightyear is not the only automotive company that has begun the production of solar-powered cars, as several other companies are pushing to make solar-powered cars a mass-market reality.
Several automotive companies, such as Aptera Motors, Atlis Motor Vehicles, Fisker Inc., and Sono Motors, as well as established OEMs like Hyundai, Tesla, and Toyota, are developing solar cars or hybrid versions of them.
Introducing solar charging to the electric vehicle fray essentially solves two problems in one. Drivers don’t have to worry so much about where the nearest charging station is, as the car can top itself up while moving or when parked.
And cars can travel farther without having to look for a place to plug in. With Lightyear promising a range of more than 600 miles on a single full charge.
This is, of course, hugely dependent on individual driving habits, as well as the time of year, given that sunlight is pivotal.
In perfect, optimal conditions, Lightyear said that the vehicle can potentially power itself for up to 40 miles each day, in addition to whatever power it garners from being plugged into the grid.
Lightyear is scheduled to begin production of its Lightyear 0 (formerly called Lightyear One) car this coming fall, costing prospective buyers a cool €250,000.