introduce solar-powered cars in the UAE.
The news broke out soon after Dubai announced the launch of self-driving cars in 2023.The Lightyear 0, the world’s first solar automobile, is being developed by the Netherlands-based corporation.
According to the manufacturer, the vehicle uses only 1,500 kilowatt-hours per year, making it twice as efficient as the Tesla Model S, the comparable in its category.
According to the reports, Lightyear and SRTI Park are “exploring a range of activities to advance workable mobility in the region, which might include the creation of Lightyear testing amenities and sales and service sustenance across the region.”
The partners have signed a memorandum of understanding for establishing university research exchange programs on solar-powered electric cars (EVs) and move forward with policy initiatives that support government incentives for EVs, particularly solar-extended EVs.
“The UAE has established a comprehensive innovation ecosystem that assists enterprises in developing and scaling up game-changing ideas,” said Mariam Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment.
“Today, it is a center for world-class capabilities and scientific advances, particularly in clean energy.”
“We are happy by Lightyear’s choice to establish its first base outside the Netherlands at SRTI Park, and we wish the firm continued success.”
The Lightyear 0 is ready for manufacturing and can run for months in the summer without needing to plug into any public charger or a domestic outlet. It has a 160-kilometer-per-hour top speed and can accelerate from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in 10 seconds.
Drivers using Lightyear 0 for their daily commute (based on a distance of 35 kilometers) can drive for months during the summer before needing to recharge, thanks to a solar yield of up to 11,000 kilometers per year.
Lightyear’s entry into the EV industry comes at a time when the entire cost of Europe’s EV transition is expected to be more than 80 billion euros (AED307 billion). The majority of this investment would go towards charging infrastructure.
The first batch of vehicles will be handed to European consumers in November.
The UAE, as the world’s third-largest generator of solar electricity, is the ideal location to put Lightyear’s patented solar technology to the test, according to STRI Park CEO Hussain Al Mahmoudi. Last year, the UAE stated its goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050, with plans to invest Dh600 billion ($163.37 billion) in clean and renewable energy sources over the following three decades.
UAE Vehicle Market Overview
The number of electric vehicles available on the UAE roadways is growing. Polestar, a Swedish premium electric car brand, released the Polestar 2 sedan in the UAE this year and opened its first dedicated retail location.
The Middle East’s first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (FCV) refueling station opened in Dubai in 2017, the same year the region’s first Tesla showroom opened.
Image Credit: www.khaleejtimes.com
