Home

News

News

Want A Lightyear 0 But Don't Have $277K? Now Is Your Chance To Buy A Prototype

Lightyear is trying to come back from the dead by auctioning off test vehicles.

Lightyear One Solar EV Prototype

Ben O'Hare Ben O'Hare

By: Ben O'Hare

Apr 22, 2023 at 9:59am ET

Add InsideEVs as a preferred source in Google

Share

Comment

As you may have heard, Dutch EV startup Lightyear succumbed to bankruptcy back in January. The bankruptcy came shortly after production of Lightyear's first model, the 0, commenced. A €250,000 ($277k) solar-assisted EV, the 0 was never going to gain significant consumer interest. After all, there are only so many people willing to fork out a quarter of a million euro on a 174 hp sedan. Hence production was limited to 946 units, however that was arguably a rather ambitious figure in itself.

More interesting was Lightyear's planned mass-market vehicle, the 2. Lightyear promised it would start at €40,000 ($44,390) and have over 500 miles of range (thanks in part to sleek aerodynamics and a solar-paneled roof). Of course, production of the 2 was heavily reliant on Lightyear filling all 946 build slots for the €250k 0. 

Lightyear ran out of money several weeks after production of the 0 began, however a restructuring effort was announced back in April. The new entity, Lightyear Technologies, employs just 100 people. For reference, Lightyear employed 600 at its peak back in late 2022.

More On Lightyear

Lightyear Goes Back In Business After Restructuring Caused By Bankruptcy

Lightyear 2 Will Be Slightly Larger Than Lightyear 0, Mass Market

What do you think?

View

Comments

With production of the 0 now unlikely to resume, Lightyear will focus solely on the significantly more affordable 2. The new venture will rely heavily on external investment, and selling off assets, to ensure production can begin. Hence you can now buy a Lightyear 0 prototype for a fraction of the production car's selling price.

Currently, a Lightyear 0 show car is for sale on the Dutch bidding site Troostwijk Auctions. Bidding is currently at €32,000 ($35,510) and is set to close on Monday. Being a show car, it has a top speed of just 12 mph and is not road legal. Still, at least it looks legit. And given several partially constructed prototypes, battery packs and motors are also up for grabs perhaps you could make it drivable - albeit with a lot of effort.  

Source: Electrek

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Insideevs.com?

Take our 3 minute survey.

- The InsideEVs team

Share this Story

GO TO COMMENTS

(

)

Got a tip for us? Email: tips@insideevs.com

View all comments ( )

Trending

GM's Next-Generation EV Platform Has 30% Less Wiring And 20% Less Battery

GM's Next-Generation EV Platform Has 30% Less Wiring And 20% Less Battery

Can The BMW iX3 Take Down The Tesla Model Y L And Rivian R2?

Can The BMW iX3 Take Down The Tesla Model Y L And Rivian R2?

GM's OnStar AI Assistant Debuts In The Cadillac Lyriq

GM's OnStar AI Assistant Debuts In The Cadillac Lyriq

Electrify America’s Largest EV Charging Station Is Missing One Big Thing

Electrify America’s Largest EV Charging Station Is Missing One Big Thing

latest articles

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU



'End Of The Year': Tesla Says Cybercab Customer Deliveries Will Begin Soon



Rivian Was The Second Best-Selling EV Brand In Q3 2026, But Still Far Behind Tesla



The Midterms Won't Mean Much For EV Policy, Analysts Say



Chinese Cars Cost Way Less To Build Than European Ones. Here’s Why



General Motors Isn't 'Walking Away' From EVs, Top Exec Says



GM's Next-Generation EV Platform Has 30% Less Wiring And 20% Less Battery



GM Is Adding Its Own Version Of Tesla's Sentry Mode To Cars