Lightyear
2021-2023
Dutch startup Lightyear promised the world a fully solar-powered car: the Lightyear Zero. Bold claims like “Drive for months without charging” and “the most aerodynamic family car to date” set expectations high. Initially, production of the Lightyear Zero was set for 2021 and would cost the buyer €119,000, but production was delayed by a year and the price raised to €250,000. Only a handful units were ever manufactured and Lightyear filed for bankruptcy a few months after starting production. Funnily enough, Lightyear described this major failure as a “strategic restructuring” to focus on their upcoming Lightyear 2. Launching a second car right after the spectacular flop of your first? That’s either some high level innovation or pure denial. By 2023, Lightyear shifted focus to manufacturing solar panels for electric vehicles — a far cry from their bold automotive ambitions.
Additional info:
The Verge - Lightyear has stopped production on its solar-powered EV after three months
Electrive - Lightyear seems to have abandoned its solar car plans
Fleet News - Lightyear attempts to rescue solar EV future following bankruptcy