The Lightyear 0 car, shown here in a rendering, will begin production this fall. In addition to charging at plug points, it will get a boost from the solar panels on its roof, hood and trunk.
The Lightyear 0 car, shown here in a rendering, will begin production this fall. In addition to charging at plug points, it will get a boost from the solar panels on its roof, hood and trunk.
Lightyear
Dutch company Lightyear says the car, shown in a rendering, will initially cost €250,000 ($262,000).
Dutch company Lightyear says the car, shown in a rendering, will initially cost €250,000 ($262,000).
Bart Geers/Lightyear
A rendering of the interior of the car, which will be able to drive around 388 miles without stopping to recharge, and will have an additional range of up to 44 miles a day from the solar panels.
A rendering of the interior of the car, which will be able to drive around 388 miles without stopping to recharge, and will have an additional range of up to 44 miles a day from the solar panels.
Lightyear
If production goes ahead as planned, the Lightyear 0 will be the first solar-assisted car on the market, but others are in development. The Sono Sion, slated for production in 2023, will have a range of 190 miles and promises to provide an average of 10 miles of solar range per day, in addition to plug charging.
If production goes ahead as planned, the Lightyear 0 will be the first solar-assisted car on the market, but others are in development. The Sono Sion, slated for production in 2023, will have a range of 190 miles and promises to provide an average of 10 miles of solar range per day, in addition to plug charging.
sono motors
Aptera is developing a solar three-wheeler, which it hopes to begin producing in 2023.
Aptera is developing a solar three-wheeler, which it hopes to begin producing in 2023.
Aptera
It's not just cars that are being fitted with solar panels. During September and October 2021, a campervan powered entirely by the sun was driven almost 2,000 kilometers (1,242 miles) across Europe without stopping for fuel or plugging in to charge.
It's not just cars that are being fitted with solar panels. During September and October 2021, a campervan powered entirely by the sun was driven almost 2,000 kilometers (1,242 miles) across Europe without stopping for fuel or plugging in to charge.
STE / Rien Boonstoppel
Named "Stella Vita," it was produced by Solar Team Eindhoven 2021, a group of 22 students at the Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands. The university has developed a number of solar vehicles in recent years and Lightyear was founded by its alumni.
Named "Stella Vita," it was produced by Solar Team Eindhoven 2021, a group of 22 students at the Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands. The university has developed a number of solar vehicles in recent years and Lightyear was founded by its alumni.
STE / Bart van Overbeeke
Every two years, solar-powered vehicles race at the World Solar Challenge event -- and the competition has inspired some innovative designs. Last year, Vattenfall Solar Team, made up of students from Delft University, in the Netherlands, finished third at Solar Challenge Morocco with a solar-powered car called Nuna 11. The unusual vehicle has three-wheels -- two on the right and one on the left.
Every two years, solar-powered vehicles race at the World Solar Challenge event -- and the competition has inspired some innovative designs. Last year, Vattenfall Solar Team, made up of students from Delft University, in the Netherlands, finished third at Solar Challenge Morocco with a solar-powered car called Nuna 11. The unusual vehicle has three-wheels -- two on the right and one on the left.
KOEN VAN WEEL/AFP/ANP/AFP via Getty Images
The 2019 World Solar Challenge, pictured, was won by Belgium Agoria Solar Team, a group of engineering students. In June 2022, the team said it set a new world record, driving 1,051 kilometers (653 miles) in 12 hours in a car powered entirely by the sun.
The 2019 World Solar Challenge, pictured, was won by Belgium Agoria Solar Team, a group of engineering students. In June 2022, the team said it set a new world record, driving 1,051 kilometers (653 miles) in 12 hours in a car powered entirely by the sun.
BRENTON EDWARDS/AFP/AFP via Getty Images