{"id":31495,"date":"2022-09-15T01:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-15T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=31495"},"modified":"2022-09-15T01:00:00","modified_gmt":"2022-09-15T05:00:00","slug":"lightyear-0-solar-ev-dethrones-gms-ev1-as-most-aerodynamic-car-ever","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=31495","title":{"rendered":"Lightyear 0 solar EV dethrones GM’s EV1 as the most aerodynamic production car ever made"},"content":{"rendered":"

As it sits mere months away from bringing its first solar EV to market, Lightyear<\/a> is once again showcasing the potential of its Lightyear 0. Following a series of drag-coefficient tests in Germany under WLTP conditions, the Lightyear 0 SEV should hit the market as the most aerodynamic production car ever built. Its test numbers shatter a title held by GM\u2019s EV1 dating back to the late \u201990s. <\/p>\n

Lightyear is a Dutch solar EV that has grown alongside\u00a0Electrek<\/em> over the years, and we\u2019ve been able to track its progress toward bringing the first solar electric passenger car to market. That feat should be accomplished before year\u2019s end, as Lightyear gears up for a limited production run of its flagship SEV, the Lightyear 0.<\/p>\n

Up to this point, the Lightyear team has done an excellent job at keeping the public abreast of its progress in developing the Lightyear 0. This showcase has included prototype range testing<\/a> in the summer of 2021, followed by durability testing<\/a> and news of partnerships with companies like Sibros<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In January, Lightyear gathered more test data at Bridgestone\u2019s European Proving Ground (EUPG) in Aprilia, Italy, which elicited conversations about it arriving as one of the most efficient passenger vehicles in the world<\/a>.<\/p>\n

We learned more details of the startup\u2019s obsession with efficiency this past June, when we had the opportunity to test drive\u00a0a near-production-ready version of the 0<\/a>. At the time, the startup was claiming the 0 had a drag coefficient rated below 0.19. We pointed out that this Cd rating would make the 0 the most aerodynamic production car in the world, with the caveat that the SEV had not faced any official testing yet.<\/p>\n

Now however, the Lightyear 0 has completed a series of comprehensive tests in Europe and delivered a drag coefficient well below 0.19, substantiating its status as the most aerodynamic production car ever made. <\/p>\n

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The production-intent design of the Lightyear 0 SEV \/ Credit: Scooter Doll<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lightyear 0 is the world\u2019s most aerodynamic car \u2013 for now<\/h2>\n

The Dutch startup shared its SEV\u2019s latest record breaking accomplishment in a press release out of the Netherlands this evening (Thursday AM overseas). According to Lightyear, the 0\u2019s latest drag coefficient is 0.175, significantly lower than originally promised \u2013 and lower than any Cd ever delivered by anyone else. <\/p>\n

Lightyear explained that this number has been confirmed through a series of tests conducted in one of the FKFS wind tunnels in Stuttgart, Germany, under Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) conditions. Lightyear\u2019s chief technology officer Arjo van der Ham spoke to the company\u2019s latest accomplishment:<\/p>\n

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We are extremely proud of this incredible achievement. We had to start from a blank sheet of paper when we started developing our technology and \u2013 with a lot of dedication and hard work \u2013 we continue to push the boundaries with every milestone like this.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

While the startup is celebrating this record, it has reiterated that the main focus of these tests is to deliver an optimal solar EV to its customers. Still, when those 946 planned units of the Lightyear 0 do arrive, its creators will be able to advertise \u201cmost aerodynamic\u201d next to \u201cworld\u2019s first solar electric car.\u201d<\/p>\n

With the achievement, Lightyear has usurped GM\u2019s EV1<\/a> as the most aerodynamic production car (0.19 Cd). The EV1 was ahead of its time when it debuted in 1996, but it didn\u2019t live to see the new millennium, and we\u2019re still salty about it. Now, over 20 years later, electric vehicles have reached critical mass adoption in the United States, and Lightyear looks to blaze the same trails as the EV1 by leading a sub-revolution of solar EVs.<\/p>\n

Although Lightyear is sure to carry the aerodynamics crown into start of production, there\u2019s a possibility its reign could be short lived. Fellow startup Aptera is gearing up to start production of its own solar EV and has a genuine chance to overtake Lightyear.<\/p>\n

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The latest gamma version of the Aptera SEV \/ Credit: Scooter doll<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Compared to the Lightyear 0, the Aptera SEV has a far less traditional design, and its creators are currently promising a drag coefficient of 0.13 Cd<\/a>. The Aptera should arrive at a much lower price point compared to the Lightyear 0, as well. <\/p>\n

All that said, the Aptera remains in gamma phase before it begins building production-intent delta prototypes later this year. Until Aptera brings its flagship SEV to production<\/a> with certified test results, Lightyear remains the most aerodynamic car in the business.<\/p>\n

Mercedes-Benz has also already achieved a drag coefficient of 0.17<\/a> on its EQXX solar EV concept, but it\u2019s not a production vehicle. Still, its EQS sedan<\/a> has a Cd of 0.20 and holds its own as one of the most aerodynamic vehicles on the global market today. The EQXX will likely never see an assembly line, but it offers proof of concept for more efficient EVs to come in the future.<\/p>\n

These sort of achievements are truly beneficial for EVs as we all look to maximize our range in order to travel as far as possible, easily and sustainability. This sort of friendly competition is exciting to follow and should be celebrated because no matter which automaker holds the record, we as consumers will be sure to benefit.<\/p>\n

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