Former students at the Eindhoven University of Technology in North Brabant have successfully developed a prototype solar-powered car which is attracting worldwide interest. Known as Lightyear One, the four-wheel-drive family saloon has a range of over 700 km on a fully charged battery. The company behind the project already has firm orders and has opened production facilities in the town Helmond, employing around 150 people.
- 26 August 2020
The ERDF South Netherlands Operational Programme has made an essential contribution to the snowball effect that has taken us to where we are standing today.
Lightyear was founded in 2016 by alumni of Solar Team Eindhoven, and the prototype was unveiled in June 2019. The car delivers practical performance which can save a huge amount of energy. The team that developed this automotive innovation won the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in 2013, 2015 and 2017.
Lightyear One can run for 20 000 km a year on self-generated, free solar energy. For additional range, it can easily be charged through the electricity grid using either fast or conventional charging points. Based on 30 000 km/year usage, the vehicle is four times more sustainable than an ordinary electric car.
Lower energy needs
A key innovation is the car’s ultra-efficient battery, which offers a range of 725 km in a relatively small unit. Because it can charge directly from the sun, the battery’s energy need is much lower than a standard battery. This means that charging options are easier to use because the battery delivers a lot more range for the same amount of energy charged. Accordingly, users can charge the car a lot faster from any power outlet, up to 350 km per night from ordinary 230V sockets.
Lightyear One is constructed from high-tech, low-weight materials which meet stringent passenger safety requirements. The car is propelled by four independently driven wheels, which means that no energy is lost as power transfers from engine to road. The roof and bonnet are made from 5 m2 of integrated solar cells protected by strong safety glass.
Growing order book
The company behind the prototype has already received orders for 100 production cars based on the Lightyear One design. The goal is to sell between 2 000 and 3 000 within five years.
The project’s initial success has attracted more backing – more than EUR 20 million in investments and grants. In addition to a grant from the European Regional Development Fund, Lightyear has received funding from the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme for research and innovation.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Lightyear: Innovative self-sufficient car on solar energy” is EUR 1 502 528, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 250 000 through the “South Netherlands” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “Research and innovation”.