Never mind about all electric, hybrid or even hydrogen cell vehicles. Could the future be solar powered cars? Lightyear, a Dutch mobility company, seem to think so and will put the world’s first long-range solar powered electric car into production next year.

Lightyear says an initial production run of 500 vehicles will be made. With prices to be set at the premium €100,000 plus end of the market, these cars will offer a range of around 725km. Designed to be light and aerodynamic, the bonnet and roof are fitted with five square metres of integrated solar cells which can generate 50–70km of extra range per day during the summer. To supplement this, the vehicle is also charged through a conventional socket.

The car is driven by four in-wheel electric motors fed by a compact battery. This gives added flexibility in the cabin design. 

Lex Hoefsloot, CEO of Lightyear, commented, “Since new technology has a high unit cost, we have to start in an exclusive market. Lightyear One is the first long-range solar car. The next models we plan to develop will have a significantly lower purchase price.”