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Lightyear, a manufacturer specializing in solar electric vehicles, is raising 81 million euros in investments to ensure the production of its first production model, Lightyear 0.
Will the Lightyear 0 really hit the road in the hands of everyone? This is what the Dutch start-up Lightyear hopes after having raised 81 million euros from investment funds to ensure the production of its first series model.
This sum comes from a public consortium made up of Invest-NL and regional development agencies, as well as private funds. Three years after its initial presentation, the Dutch start-up Lightyear, created by specialists in the solar industry, presented the final design of a long-range solar electric car last June. Production at the Valmet Automotive plant is set to begin this autonomous, with first deliveries expected before the end of the year.
“With the support of Invest-NL, the entire consortium, and our other investors, Lightyear is well positioned and remains on track to deliver the world’s first solar car and work towards a more sustainable future.“, said CEO Lex Hoefsloot. And to add: “In the current market environment, our technology has incredible potential and I see these investments as an endorsement of our vision.“
The manufacturer aims to launch the Lightyear 2 in the process, which will be produced jointly with Koenigsegg, a Swedish manufacturer specializing in hypersports. This second iteration should in theory hit the mass market from 2024-2025 for an announced price of around €30,000. Leasing company LeasePlan has committed to acquiring 5,000 Lightyear 2s when production begins.