Recently, according to foreign media reports, the Lightyear One (Lightyear One) Pioneer Special Edition is scheduled to be produced by Valmet Automobile Company next year, with a price of up to 150,000 euros.
That makes the solar-focused car beyond what most consumers can afford, but a more affordable option is on the horizon as the company just announced their second model. The car, dubbed the Two, builds on One's technology and is scheduled to go into production in 2024 or 2025.
The company did not elaborate, but confirmed that the model will be available in various global markets, including Europe and the United States, and that the price of the car will also be more affordable, with pricing starting at 30,000 euros.
Seeing this, I believe that many readers do not know much about the first Lightyear One. Equipped with 5 square meters of solar panels, the Lightyear One allows owners to drive for months without charging, as the car gets an endurance of about 12 kilometers for every hour it is parked in the sun. In addition, the One's range in the WLTP cycle is 725 km (450 mi) when the battery is fully charged.
As expected, more details about the Lightyear Two were revealed at the launch. The model will have a smaller battery than the One, with a more affordable price, and faster charging times.
While smaller batteries also mean less endurance, Lightyear doesn't think that won't be a problem, as the model will require five times less charging time than the average electric car thanks to its solar panels.
In addition to releasing preliminary details about the two cars, Lightyear announced a deal with EasePlan, where the company will keep 5,000 upcoming electric vehicles, which builds on their commitment to the Lightyear One.
Lex Hoefsloot, CEO of Lightyear, said: "LeasePlan has been a very strong partner to us since 2018 and today's announcement is a testament to their commitment to our product vision of making environmentally friendly mobility accessible to everyone".