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The Lightyear 2. (Image: Lightyear)
The Dutch automaker Lightyear is going through a major transformation. It was responsible for the first ever production solar-electric vehicle. Two months after shipping Lightyear 0, Lightyear announced it would suspend production to concentrate on its newer model, the Lightyear 2.
Lightyear began production of the Lightyear Zero in November 2022 after more than two years worth of fundraising, prototyping, testing and all other preparations. The 0 is the first solar-powered EV that has ever been produced. It charges up on the move and can get 70 km (about 43 miles) each day from sunlight. The 0 can run for months without needing to be connected to the grid. A sharp, aerodynamic exterior is combined with a clean, spacious interior to make this a very impressive car. However, Lightyear has not disclosed how many 0s it sold customers.
However, the time of the 0 on the assembly line is already over. Lightyear said Monday in a statement that it would stop production of the 0, even those that had been paid for. This will allow Lightyear 2 to be introduced commercially.
The Lightyear 0, now out of production (Image: Lightyear)
Lightyear stated that Lightyear 0, the first lightyear, was developed. At the same time, Lightyear 2 was developed. Lightyear 2 is an affordable solar electric vehicle that can be used by a wider range of people. We had to shift our resources and focus completely to Lightyear 2 in order to protect our vision. We had to stop production of Lightyear 0.
According to the company, Lightyear has filed a petition to stop payments between itself and its intellectual property or manufacturing entities. Drivers hoping to secure a Lightyear 0, in 2023, have been abruptly and officially dismissed. Clicking the "Configure Your Lightyear 0" link at the automaker's site will bring up an error 404.
Lightyear made a shocking reference to its financial situation and stated that it hopes to make "key investments in the next weeks" as it shifts to the 2. Lightyear said the new model will be affordable ($40,000 base), and maintain a 500-mile range on a single charge thanks to integrated solar panels. Lightyear already has 20,000 pre-orders for the fleet and 40,000 people signed up to the vehicle's waiting list – something drivers still have the option to do if they aren't already skeptical about the automaker's ability keep its word.
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By: Adrianna Nine
Title: Lightyear Suspends Flagship Solar EV Production, Shifts Focus Toward New Model
Sourced From: www.extremetech.com/extreme/342551-lightyear-suspends-flagship-solar-ev-production-shifts-focus-toward-new-model
Published Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2023 22:00:15 +0000
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