At Suv.me we only write about SUVs, but the company Lightyear One have us all excited for what the future of all-electric sports utility vehicles can look like. The modern SUV is the perfect candidate for Lightyear’s business idea – which is the blending traditional EV charging with the latest advancements in solar PVs (photovoltaics).
Right now the company has one sedan in production (Lightyear 0) and another in the pre-production phase, Lightyear 2 (which looks like an SUV, but isn’t one).
The average SUV has 60% more surface area than a traditional family sedan sold today. The company would have way more available room to place their PVs on a sports utility vehicle.
Translation – more range, more fuel saved, a more optimized SUV for the environment (a win-win).
Lightyear One and it’s first solar powered car
Lightyear One is a revolutionary auto startup that has been in development for years, they currently have two model sedans going into production. What began as a school project, is now the company behind the Lightyear 0 car.
The Lightyear 0 is an electric vehicle with a range of 300 miles, 43 of which comes from charging the car’s solar panels. As if that wasn’t enough to make you want to buy one, it also goes from 0-60mph in 10 seconds.
Will the company ever make an SUV though? Imagine such a car, powered by the rays of the sun (and perhaps your home’s electric socket) – range anxiety would be100% gone.
The Technology Behind the Lightyear 0
The team at Lightyear One have worked hard to create a car that is efficient and reliable. It uses four-wheel motors and advanced software to deliver maximum efficiency while driving and charging (imagine charging from sun). In a day you could gain 70 kilometres of range from sun alone.
The car’s optimized battery energy storage system allows it to store up to 80% of energy from the sun which can then be used for later trips. This means you can go farther on less charge than any other electric cars currently available on the market.
Images courtesy: Lightyear
Lightyear 0 also features an adaptive cruise control system that keeps your speed constant no matter what terrain you are driving on or how much traffic there is around you.
This takes some of the stress out of long drives and can help save time when travelling long distances. Lightyear 0 also has strong regenerative braking capabilities for extra safety during emergency stops or sudden speed changes.
The exterior of the Lightyear 0
Images courtesy: Lightyear
Finally, the exterior design of this car was created by aerospace engineers who wanted to make sure it could handle even extreme weather conditions such as strong winds or heavy rain without compromising its functionality or performance.
Its aerodynamic shape reduces drag so you get maximum velocity while driving and its low centre of gravity ensures stability in all types of road conditions.
Conclusion:
Lightyear One is revolutionizing the way we think about electric cars. With its impressive Lightyear 0 (300-mile range, 0-60mph time of 10 seconds and cutting-edge technology), it’s no wonder why this car has caused such a stir in the automotive world.
A solar powered SUV is the next logical step right? Lightyear One, please make that happen; imagine the additional barrels of gas production that would be not needed.
If you are looking for an efficient and reliable electric vehicle that can handle whatever life throws at it then look no further than Lightyear One – the perfect combination of advanced engineering and sustainable energy!
