Dutch startup Lightyear on Tuesday announced an approximately $80 million investment the firm claimed will help stimulate development of a mass-market solar-assisted electric auto.
Lightyear in June revealed that in production form its Lightyear One will be instead called Lightyear 0. That version currently incorporates game-changing aero as well as particularly established Bridgestone tires to take full advantage of efficiency, as well as integrated solar panels to lessen the requirement for charging.
Elaphe in-wheel motor for Lightyear 0 The Lightyear 0 will be made by Finland’s Valmet Automotive, as well as is still on the right track to begin production this fall, the startup claimed in a news release. But Lightyear is just preparing a limited manufacturing run of 150 cars, each with a roughly $260,000 price.
The planned 2nd model, referred to as Lightyear 2, will certainly have a starting price equivalent to around $30,000, according to the launch. Manufacturing isn’t arranged to start until 2025, yet Lightyear currently declares to have 10,000 reservations from leasing and also car-sharing firms LeasePlan and MyWheels, which have actually reserved 5,000 autos each.
Lightyear and also Koenigsegg partnership The current investment, led by Invest-NL, the national marketing institution (NPI) of the Netherlands, as well as other federal government entities, will fund continued growth of the 2, Lightyear said. Funds will certainly likewise be used for a planned worldwide development, according to the startup. Lightyear hasn’t validated strategies to get in the United States market, nonetheless.
A financial investment from Swedish supercar home builder Koenigsegg will likewise supposedly help provide an efficiency boost and technology for the Lightyear 2, which might additionally obtain subscription choices to raise cost. Lightyear hasn’t stated where the follow-up version will be developed. It does not have a manufacturing facility, so it will likely need to either increase its partnership with Valmet or look for one more agreement producer.