lightyear

A brief history about lightyear: In 2016, five graduates from the Technical University of Eindhoven decided to turn an ambitious dream into reality. Arjo van der Ham, Koen van Ham, Lex Hoefsloot, Martijn Lammers, and Qurein Biewenga founded Lightyear with a single goal in mind: to create a production electric vehicle capable of generating its own power from the sun. Drawing on their shared passion for clean energy and advanced engineering, they quickly began securing funding, raising several million euros to bring their vision to life.

Before launching the company, the founders had already worked together on a groundbreaking university project called Solar Team Eindhoven. That initiative produced the Stella Lux, an energy-positive solar car capable of generating more power than it consumed. The project’s success became the foundation for Lightyear’s mission: to build a solar-powered vehicle that could drive for months without needing to plug in.

After six years of development and tens of millions invested in research, testing, and production infrastructure, Lightyear introduced its first vehicle to the public in the summer of 2022. Named the Lightyear 0, the sleek solar electric sedan was designed for extreme efficiency and real-world usability. Production was scheduled to begin in early 2023 with the support of Valmet Automotive, a respected Finnish manufacturer known for assembling cars for Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Fisker, and Saab. Valmet not only assisted with design and production planning but also became a strategic investor, bringing its extensive experience in battery pack manufacturing to the partnership.

By 2021, Lightyear had already built its first fully functional prototype, which achieved an impressive range of 710 kilometers (440 miles) on a single charge—setting a record for electric vehicle efficiency. Building on this success, the company focused on sustainability throughout its production process. The Lightyear 0 was constructed using recycled and organic materials, and its interior featured upholstery made from reclaimed ocean plastics.

Although the car’s price was exceptionally high, its promise of near-zero running costs and renewable energy independence captured global attention. In 2022, the Lightyear 0 officially entered production, representing not only a milestone for the Dutch startup but also a major leap forward in the evolution of solar-powered mobility.

Current Models

Browse through this lightyear’s current models below and explore their specifications