World's first solar car — How does it feel to drive Lightyear 0?

Six years ago, we put a bright idea in motion: to build the world’s first solar electric car.

Creating an ultra-efficient, production-ready solar electric car had never been done, until June 9 2022, when we unveiled Lightyear 0.

Weeks later, we held Destination Daylight: our debut driving event. Here, Lightyear 0 met the hands of its first drivers in sun-drenched Navarra, Spain. First customers and investors were able to experience the car many had been dreaming of since its idea was first conceived.

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[nduser]

I mentioned putting solar panels on the car a couple years ago on a Rich Rebuilds live stream years ago and he said it couldnt be done because of the shape of the car. It brings a smile to my face to know there are other people that bring similar ideas to fruition. Even though I will never be able to afford an electric car like this I am happy to see this innovated car. Great job.

[stephenchallis]

Owning a car like this is a beautiful dream!

[ottot]

Helaas past deze prachtige wagen niet binnen mijn budget, maar de 30K versie waar aan gewerkt komt kijk ik enorm uit. Veel succes Lightyear!

[jameswoll]

Wow, I'm so happy they liked their test drives! Made me cry actually. Been waiting for this technology for a long time. Good job, Lightyear!

[portuguesepetrolhead]

This is the way to go, not conspicuous, mega powerful, extremely heavy battery-powered electrics. We only have one planet.

[ApteraOwnersClub]

Love it. Solar Electric Vehicles! Hoping much success for your Lightyear!

[Arachne]

In the USA, looking forward to even better versions becoming available to us one day. Way ahead of the competition. Love it.

[parasjanpara]

I am proud of your hardwork and innovation Team Light Year. Feeling envy about these people who got a chance to drive LYZ!

[operationrescuer]

Please don't stop evolving your God damn good works.

[fainzor]

Can't wait for the Lightyear 1.
You are doing a great job!

[kidsgamingstation]

Bravo Lightyear team! This car - and your efforts - are a sublime inspiration!

[kunalmahajan]

Lightyear should market these cars more in the equator side of the earth. Brazil, India, UAE, Mexico. Because there can be more solar energy absorbed by the car.

[tanvigawde]

Beautiful!! I will wait to buy this car!! Congratulations!!

[dougselsam]

I agree that solar cells mounted on an electric car is an obvious good idea. BUT (and here's the big "but") How can anyone pretend such a small amount of solar panels would be sufficient to generate enough energy for any car to enjoy normal use? And they don't even have any solar cells on the front, rear, or sides of the car. No fold-out auxiliary panels, no trailer with solar panels. This car looks to have about 2 square meters of solar panels. The sun at noon puts out about 1 horsepower (745.7 Watts) per square meter, of which solar panels capture maybe 20%. And that's with the sun overhead. That's like a max output of 300 Watts? What about early or late in the day? What about cloudy days? What about parked in a garage? Let's not even get into "night"!
So the panels on such a car could produce MAYBE, what, 2 kWh per day? If you're lucky? So if the battery pack can hold 65 kWh, the onboard panels could add maybe 3% to the charge if it charges all day in full sun, and is never driven? How about in Finland on a cloudy winter day? I am in the clean energy field and I do a lot of these math problems. My take is these solar panels would be lucky to even just MAINTAIN a full charge, if the car were JUST SITTING in a warm, sunny environment, and would be unable to even maintain a charge sitting still on a cloudy winter day. Nice idea, but the numbers have to work out, right? Most people looking at this basic situation have come to the conclusion that it is not even worth the trouble to place solar panels on a car. i disagree - I think they would be helpful to at least help maintain a charge, but someone would have to explain to me how ANY car could possibly be totally powered by onboard solar panels, especially when most of the surface does not even HAVE any solar panels. What am I missing here?

[andrew]

I can't wait to be an owner too! Keep it up guys!

[avecesarEmperador]

Fantástico auto . Ojala puedan lograr que los requerimientos económicos que requiere su compañía se puedan dar nuevamente. Sigan adelante ... No se rindan ... Saludos desde COLOMBIA.

[inamillions]

Lightyear 0 is my dream car and i will buy one as soon as it is available

[kalvinreese]

Here before 1 million views. Great job!

[RM]

Oh I was thinking of this kind of regenerating machines, it's existing? Lovely.

[rui]

This amazing company should get the financial support of the government if they have a co2 aim and help slow down the global warming/extrem weather.