Solar car prototype revealed

Dutch start-up Lightyear has unveiled a first prototype of the Lightyear One, an EV with five square metres of solar cells which it expects to deliver to customers starting in 2021.

Formed by past members of Solar Team Einhoven which won the World Solar Challenge race three times, Lightyear claims the prototype has a 725km range while the roof and hood solar can add up to 12km of range an hour.

It reckons the safety glass encased solar cells are 20% more efficient than conventional ones.

Lightyear One will support up to 60kW of fast charging, giving it 507km of range per hour of charge. The five-seater car has four electric motors and can reach 100km/h in 10 seconds.

The company says extras include over-the-air software updates, a companion app, wireless key, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus it has 780 litres of normal luggage space which can be extended to 1701 litres.

Pre-orders are being taken for the first 500 cars, likely to have a 149,000 euro starting price.

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