Another EV is getting ready to launch, with the plan of beginning production this year. It is Lightyear’s first model to make it to the market, called Lightyear 0. The new EV will feature some impressive options that mix well with its unique design. A design that is both the futuristic mixed with a slight retro edge (kind of like the new DeLorean EV).
One of the biggest highlights is the finalized value the company has announced for the range, which is 625 km (just over 388 miles) via its 60kWh battery pack. Or 560 km (348 miles) highway range, which falls in at a little less since EVs deplete faster at higher speeds.
The total range isn’t exactly a record breaker by any means, but it is still a great start for an upcoming model in a market still suffering from low-range alternatives (outside of Tesla, at least). To add a little icing to the mix, the car makes use of solar to help contribute to these numbers. The built-in solar system collects up to 70 km (nearly 44 miles) a day as you drive. This definitely isn’t much, but it does help to strengthen the overall range with. Not only that, but if you find yourself stranded in the middle of nowhere, you can at least juice up a little despite not having a plug nearby, which is neat.
As for the touch-screen inside, it features Android Automotive OS, which is a big win for Android Auto fans and not so much Apple and its latest announcement of its own future upgrades it plans for CarPlay (which I’ll admit, looks pretty cool).
The interior is also a mix of simple and futuristic. A very clean look that is similar to Tesla models. A 10.1″ touchscreen display in the center, as wells as a display behind the wheel via the dashboard.
Along with all-vegan materials inside (to appease the activist groups that have plagued companies like Tesla until they agreed to do the same in their vehicles).
Not all of it is perfect though. It can only travel up to 100 mph, and it takes around 10 seconds to hit 60 mph. Meaning it won’t be visiting drag strips any time soon to take on vehicles from Tesla, Porsche, and the likes. It also has no mirrors. Something we have seen in a lot of concept designs, but not really in production models just yet. Instead, drivers get a screen on both sides of the interior that show the driver each side view via exterior cameras. A neat trick, but most of the concept vehicles we have been able to experience so far all demonstrated a small latency within the displays (hopefully, this isn’t the case with the Lightyear 0).
Then there is the price. The Lightyear 0 will set you back over $260K, which prices it far and above most of the EV options out there (or those coming soon). Like the DeLorean EV, the company plans on making a limited number of these, thus justifying the price.
It’s kind of hard to justify such a price, unless you are a collector of rare vehicles and an wildly large budget. Our Senior Editor just bought a Tesla and a lot of Solar Panels for the roof of his house (enough to power his house and maybe half of one of his neighbors), and yet he spent less than $100K (a fraction of the price). This mixed with the reduced specs compare to vehicles like the Tesla models, it really does make it difficult to want one of these. Then again, they will still likely sell out.
As mentioned, production will begin this year (later in the year) if everything lines up for Lightyear’s expectations. However, like most EV options, the company is taking pre-orders. Allowing you to be one of those few who get their hands on one before the company stops making them. Lightyear will be producing less than 1,000 units.
