Coming soon to UAE: World’s first solar-powered vehicle Lightyear 0

You could soon see the world’s first long-range production-ready solar electric vehicle (EV), Lightyear 0, vroom through the UAE.

The Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTI Park) has announced a new collaboration with the Netherlands-based Lightyear.

The two parties are exploring a range of activities to drive sustainable mobility in the region. These could include the establishment of Lightyear testing facilities and sales and service support across the region.

Lightyear and SRTI Park — an incubation hub for tech startups — also aim to set up university research exchange programmes on solar-powered EVs. The agreement aims to advance policy initiatives that promote government incentives for EVs, including solar-extended ones.

Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said the country is “pleased” by Lightyear’s decision to set up its first base outside the Netherlands at SRTI Park.

“The UAE has created a holistic innovation ecosystem that helps companies develop and scale up trailblazing solutions. Today, it is a hub for top-notch competencies and scientific innovations, particularly those related to clean energy. This complements our nation’s efforts to combat global warming and contribute to collective climate action, and aligns with the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative,” she added.

CEO of SRTI Park Hussain Al Mahmoudi highlighted how the UAE is already the world’s third-largest producer of solar power. This makes the country the perfect place to test Lightyear’s patented solar technology, he added.

Lightyear CEO Lex Hoefsloot said: “We look forward to collaborating with SRTI Park to further move the needle of innovation in solar electric vehicles. The GCC region is of strategic importance for our company and is a strong growth market for solar electric vehicles.”

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sahim@khaleejtimes.com