This affordable Dutch solar car is now available to order

The Lightyear 0 is prohibitively expensive with a starting price of 250,000 euros, so we’ll have to wait for a cheaper alternative. And now it’s available in the form of the Lightyear 2. The Dutch manufacturer’s second solar car costs 40,000 euros and can be reserved immediately.

By the way, to prevent outraged e-mails: Strictly speaking, Lightyear 0 and 2 are not solar cars. They are electric and increase their range a bit with the extra power generated by their solar panels. So they don’t run directly on solar energy like the cars in the biennial World Solar Challenge.

Lightyear 2 coming to market in late 2025

The Lightyear 2 will be launched at the end of 2025 as a significantly cheaper alternative to the 0. The target price is less than 40,000 euros and you get a range of more than 800 kilometers.

By the way, you don’t have to pay anything to get on the waiting list for a Lightyear 2. You just register on the Lightyear website and wait.

The Lightyear 2 is more compact than the 0, seats five, and has impressive luggage space, according to the brand. What is striking is that it stands a little higher on its wheels. Solar cars are also part of the SUV and crossover hype.

Up to 70 additional kilometers per day

It is not known how much energy the 2 extract from the sun. Ideally, the Lightyear 0 has an additional range of 70 kilometers per day. Otherwise, it only has to be charged with up to 50 kW on the fast charger.

The outrageously expensive 0 has a 60 kWh battery on board, with which it is said to have a range of 625 kilometers. Four electric motors, which are located on the four wheels, provide the drive.

Autovisie previously drove with the 0

The 0 is definitely not small. It measures more than 5 meters in length and more than 2 meters in width. Autovisie editor Dries van den Elzen drove it recently. You can see this in the video below.