Dutch automotive start-up Lightyear has unveiled the world’s first long-range solar car — said to have a range of 450 miles on a single charge.
The Lightyear One has a bonnet and roof comprised of solar cells (plus a battery that can be electrically charged).
Chief executive Lex Hoefsloot said: “Lightyear One represents a huge opportunity to change mobility for the better.
“For centuries, we lived in balance with nature; with the technologies of today, we have the opportunity to do so again, starting from scratch and using the laws of nature as a guide to develop ultra-efficient designs.”
The prototype car is propelled by four independently driven wheels, with no energy lost in transit from the engine to the wheel. It can also be charged via regular plug sockets, as well as at vehicle-charging stations.
The first 100 vehicles have already been reserved (the reservation fee is 119,000 euros), and 500 vehicles will be produced initially, with deliveries commencing in 2021.
Mr Hoefsloot added: “Since new technology has a high unit cost, we have to start in an exclusive market.
“The next models we plan to develop will have significantly lower purchase prices.
“In addition, they will be provided to autonomous and shared car fleets, so the purchase price can be divided among a group of users.
“A third step will be to provide truly sustainable cars that are more affordable to use than the cost of the gas you need to drive an internal-combustion car.
“That will pave the way for a car fleet that is 100% sustainable.”