Asian Tech Press (Feb 3) -- The Lightyear 0, the world's first production solar car, whose Dutch maker filed for bankruptcy.

Lightyear, a Dutch startup that has been working for the past six years to get solar-aided cars into production, has petitioned a Dutch court for permission to suspend payment proceedings with respect to Atlas Technologies B.V, the operating company responsible for producing Lightyear solar cars, meaning the Lightyear 0 ceased production.

In late January, a court granted Lightyear's request, declaring Atlas Technologies bankrupt.

In December 2022, Atlas Technologies has reached an agreement with Finland's Valmet Automotive to begin building the Lightyear 0, the world's first production solar car.

Sources sayid the $260,000 car had a production rate of one per week, with Lightyear producing only a few before abruptly ceasing production. Now that its operating company has suddenly gone bankrupt, the future of the solar car is unclear.

German car company Sono Motors GmbH has also been working hard to put its solar-powered electric car Sion into production. Early last month, the Germany automaker was also almost in trouble and may never be able to get the car into production.