The Lightyear One was unveiled in 2019 with the promise of being the first mass-produced solar-powered car by 2021. The announcement caught the attention of many people, after all, tests with cars powered by solar rays have been ongoing for a long time. 

For us at Senhor Carros, it doesn't matter what type of fuel the vehicle uses. If it runs and has any interesting new features, we'll bring it all to you here first.

If you think gasoline is expensive or are looking for a greener alternative to the planet, then you can't miss our content about the Lightyear One. Ready?

Lightyear was founded in 2016 by former members of Solar Team Eindhoven, a team of engineering students who won the World Solar Challenge in 2013, 2015, and 2017.

Competitions for vehicles powered by sustainable energy sources are becoming increasingly common, and many prototypes of solar-powered models already exist.

With five square meters of solar panels and the help of four electric motors, the One is expected to hit the market next year. 

The Lightyear One's biggest advantage is its integrated battery. This gives it a range that surpasses competitors like the Tesla Model S, which has a range of "only" 595 km. 

The key difference of this model, according to its manufacturer, is that its solar cells are more efficient than the traditional ones already used in the market. 

According to the company, these cells are encased in "safety glass" that protects them from external damage and makes them even more functional. 

In private tests, the world's first mass-produced solar-powered car has a range of up to 725 km. 

The solar-powered car literally works like an electric vehicle, but it's powered by solar panels. Which is an advantage. 

Thanks to this technology, owners won't be stranded on cloudy days. The vehicle can be charged like a conventional electric car, supporting up to 60KW of fast charging. 

Another point where the One stands out is the presence of four electric motors, one in each wheel. This allows it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 10 seconds. 

The vehicle's energy consumption is 83 Wh/km. Its batteries have a capacity of 60 kWh. 

In pictures, the One doesn't appear luxurious. Embracing Dutch design philosophy, the vehicle prioritizes simplicity combined with functionality. 

In the front, the two occupants are separated by a central console, and there is plenty of leg and arm room. The rear, on the other hand, appears to comfortably and safely accommodate three passengers. 

Broadly speaking, the Lightyear One appears to be comfortable. Especially since, in addition to that, it is designed to be an efficient, aerodynamic, and above all, environmentally friendly vehicle. 

Aerodynamics were also carefully considered. Its surfaces are flat to accommodate the photovoltaic cells on the hood and roof. 

These straight lines aim to reduce aerodynamic drag, making the most of every kW of solar energy captured.

Another important point easily noticed in terms of aerodynamics is the cover over the rear wheels.

This technique aims to provide greater fluidity and less impact with the air, which ensures better overall energy efficiency. 

The model's batteries are positioned at the front of the chassis.

Similar to combustion engines, the One has a perforated grille on its front to prevent the batteries from overheating. 

At the rear, each wheel has a small electric motor to provide driving power. 

Although advanced for its time, the One does not have an extravagant design like most electric or innovative vehicles. 

The model promotes the idea of Leonardo Da Vinci, who said that "simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."

The company is already taking pre-orders for the first 500 units of the model at a reservation price of €119,000, which is around R$ 773,000. But this is a promotional price.

According to Lightyear, after production begins, the vehicle will be priced at around €150,000 (approximately R$ 975,000). 

For example supercarsThe production of Lightyear One will be handcrafted and will start slowly. The company has not yet provided details on the manufacturing process. 

It is already known that electric cars are better for the environment than those powered by fossil fuels.

However, most of them still depend on the electrical grid, which can be considered dirty or clean depending on its source.

The future is certainly green, but it still faces some rather specific obstacles. 

In the case of electric vehicles, the main points still considered obstacles to their acquisition and subsequent popularization are:

Once these issues are resolved, we will have a larger fleet of electric vehicles circulating on the streets and roads.

Besides electric vehicles, another issue involving automotive sustainability is... hybrid cars and those powered by hydrogen. 

Although it is a relatively unknown technology, many point to hydrogen as the fuel of the future. 

The Lightyear One is actually a dual-technology car. After all, in addition to being powered by solar energy, it is also powered by electricity, which was a brilliant move by the company. 

Although it is a unique vehicle, the One is also a vehicle for the few, since its price is relatively high even by European standards. 

It's always positive to see new environmentally friendly alternatives emerging among vehicles.

Ultimately, the more powerful these technologies are, the cheaper electric and sustainable cars will be, and the less environmental impact will be caused. 

After learning all about the first solar-powered car, we want to know your opinion on the subject.

Did you enjoy Lightyear One? If you could, would you buy a copy? Leave a comment with your answer.

And since we're talking about sustainable automotive innovations, how about getting to know the JAC iEV 330P, the first 100% electric pickup truck in Brazil? Just click the button below.