Two of the biggest drawbacks to wide-scale electric car adoption are the limited range of electric vehicles and the paucity of available charging stations. Lightyear, the World Solar Challenge winner and Dutch automotive startup, might just have a solution to both of these problems with the radical new Lightyear One Solar Electric powered car.

The concept is simple enough offering the promise of electric vehicles with near unlimited range untethered from the grid. Indeed, Lightyear has based its entire marketing strategy around the One with its sleek aerodynamic shape and super efficient solar cells.

3 The Technology

via Lightyear

Most solar cells operate at an efficiency between 15% to 20% making them unsuitable for electric car recharging. Automakers such as Toyota have employed solar panels on the Prius, for instance, but these are used to circulate air and do not recharge the battery pack. Home brew efforts are similarly disappointing even if you find yourself in the American Southwest in the middle of July. While Lightyear has not released specifics of their solar technology they promise recharging at the rate of 7.5 miles per hour in direct sunlight as opposed to just a few miles all day! If true, the One would truly be revolutionary.

2 The Car

via Lightyear

Solar efficiency however is only half the game. The One is designed with a sleek aerodynamic shape with a drag coefficient below .20. She is also constructed of a lightweight body and exterior and interior pieces.

1 When And Where

via Lightyear

The company plans to roll out a consumer version of the One in 2021 at a price of $135,000 which is competitive with the Tesla Model S and the new Porsche Taycan. It seats 5 comfortably and also includes a fast charger to top off the battery in a range of usage profiles. Buckle up.

Source: Green Car Reports and Lightyear One