About Lightyear

We develop scalable grid-independent solar electric vehicles

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Lightyear team discussing interior prototypes

Our strategy is following our mission

01

Step 01

We have big ambitions that stretch as far as every corner of the earth. To make clean mobility accessible to everyone, everywhere. Lightyear 0 proves our revolutionary concept, showing the world just how far clean solar kilometres can take us. Engineering the first highly-efficient solar car is a critical step - but we're honest - it won't create the environmental impact we're aiming for. The learnings and knowledge we got from Lightyear 0, lays inroads for Lightyear 2.

02

Step 02

We’ll make the car accessible for everyone, by delivering a high-volume car at an affordable price point, with all the benefits of its low-volume predecessor.

Let us introduce ourselves

Through innovation, dedication, and daring, we are shaping the future. Our idea is simple. To offer clean, renewable mobility for all. To make this a reality, we must overcome countless obstacles. But at Lightyear, we think differently. We work to create our own solutions.

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An idea born from a finish line

June 2022

Global premiere of Lightyear 0

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January 2021

Lightyear produces the world's most efficient electric car to date

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December 2021

LeasePlan reserves 5,000 Lightyear 2 cars to add to their fleet

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September 2021

Lightyear reaches $110M (€93M) funding milestone in 2021 YTD

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July 2021

The first performance test with Lightyear Validation Prototype is conducted

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May 2021

We reveal our first-ever validation prototype, paving the way for real-life testing.

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March 2021

Lightyear successfully closes $45M funding round

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December 2020

TRL 7 is achieved. Our Vehicle Performance Model (VPM) is finetuned and we start developing Lightyear 2.

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June 2020

Our first Lightyear Research Vehicles hit the road

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November 2019

We’re awarded TIME Best Inventions

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October 2019

We set records with the Lightyear One prototype as the most aerodynamic family car ever.

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June 2019

We show the world what a future of clean mobility looks like by unveiling our Lightyear One prototype.

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June 2018

We mature. Our first patents are filed.

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June 2017

We share our vision with the world, publicly launch the Lightyear brand, and secure our first Lightyear reservation.

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November 2016

Idea becomes reality: Lightyear is officially founded and incorporated.

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October 2015

Eindhoven defends its title by winning the World Solar Challenge again with Stella Lux.

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Lightyear in Numbers

2016

Founded in September

60

Patents filed

20 billion

Media coverage (global reach)

4

World solar championships

The founders

Portait of Lex Hoefsloot
Lex Hoefsloot

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Portrait of Arjo van Ham
Arjo van Ham

Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

Portait of Martijn Lammers
Martijn Lammers

Chief Strategy

Portrait of Qurein Biewenga
Qurein Biewenga

Treasurer

Portrait of Koen van Ham
Koen van Ham

Chief Design

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lightyear from gridlock to green

Blog

From Gridlock to Green — How Solar Electric Vehicles can help achieve a zero-emission future

The beauty of efficiency

Blog

Earth Day 2023 — The beauty of efficiency in nature

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About Lightyear

We design for independence and convenience. We create clean solar electric cars that can drive off-grid and into all of life's adventures.

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This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 848620