The future of solar EVs dims: Lightyear is bankrupt, Sion fights for its life, Aptera on the brink
It’s been a real tough month for the few but extremely innovative solar EV companies out here. Having just announced a shifting of its business strategy and a request to suspend all payments to its operating company, Lightyear has officially declared bankruptcy. Sono Motors’ flagship solar EV, the Sion, is staring down a similar barrel, as the startup fights to raise more funds to keep it alive. Meanwhile, Aptera has a production-intent design, but still needs millions of dollars to get it to production.
Let’s begin with the worst news and try to find some more positive tidbits going forward. It pains me to say this, but Lightyear has officially declared bankruptcy. Just three days after announcing a halt to all Lightyear 0 production to focus on the 2, it appears the future of each is in limbo, or even worse, will remain an extremely aerodynamic dream.
At the time, Lightyear shared that it had requested a halt to all payments to Atlas Technologies B.V. – its operating company responsible for its solar EV production. The suspension was granted by Rechtbank Oost-Brabant located in the Netherlands, appointing someone from Holla legal & tax as the trustee. Per the release:
Lightyear regrets having to make this announcement for all employees, customers, investors and suppliers and will work closely with the curator and all the people who are involved and hope for their understanding and support. In the coming period the curator will focus on the position of the employees and creditors as well as assessing how the Lightyear concept can be continued.
This news continues to come as a shock for many as Lightyear was just teasing its second solar EV model at CES in early January, full staff in tow. As the last sentence from Lightyear states, its solar EVs stumble back into “concepts” rather than production vehicles.
Its only hope now may be for someone to purchase its intellectual property and take a crack at scaling, or it regroups for several years, garners more funding, and re-emerges like Aptera did.
More on Aptera in a second, but we’ve got another solar EV update from Sono Motors as well, and it’s not nearly as devastating… at least not yet.
Sono raises over $50M, extends #SaveSion campaign
Lightyear may have lost its shirt, but another solar EV startup in Europe still has some fight left in it. In early December, Sono Motors CEOs and cofounders Jona Christians and Laurin Hahn delivered a public statement outlining the financial struggles of its Sion solar EV program.
They explained that the future of the Sion was on the edge of being scrapped completely so Sono could focus on its revenue-generating solar technology business. As a company that has been saved by its network of loyal fans before, Sono launched a 50-day fundraising campaign called #SaveSion asking reservation holders to commit to their solar EV purchase.
Sono Motors explained it would use those committed funds to help kick off a 12-month journey to get the Sion solar EV into production. Following the full 50-day campaign, Sono says it has raised over €47 million (about $51M). However, that’s merely half of its target to proceed with Sion production.
Now, the Sono team says talks with potential investors are progressing, so it has extended the #SaveSion campaign through February. Sono cofounder and CEO Laurin Hahn spoke:
Our plan to send a clear signal to both the market and investors through growing reservations, payment commitments, and additional sources of almost €50 million seems to be working. We are in ongoing talks with potential investors and believe that the campaign’s extension positions us to reach our target of approximately €100 million and proceed with the Sion program. The engagement of thousands of Community members has proven the market demand for the Sion once again. The determination we feel from the thousands of calls, emails, and personal interactions with the Community, combined with the inquisitive feedback of numerous potential investors, empowers us to continue both the campaign and our fight for the Sion – our affordable, climate-friendly and unparalleled mobility solution.
While fighting to raise capital, Sono Motors has continued its testing and series-validation program of the Sion, which it says remains on a fast track to start pre-series production this summer. Pending February’s results of course.
Reservations can currently be made in 27 different European regions, but unfortunately, US consumers cannot join the movement. You can learn more at the #SaveSion dedicated page.
Aptera adds DC fast charging to solar EVs but needs cash
Last but not least is Aptera, the only US-based solar EV startup on our list today. Nothing new to report this second, so just a quick recap while we’re talking SEV struggles. Last week, the company presented a preconfigured Launch Edition of its Aptera Solar EV, which will be the first version available to reservation holders if and when it reaches production.
If that does happen, we’ve learned the Launch Edition (and any other Apteras) will come with DC fast-charging capabilities after the company made a quick U-turn on statements last week that said otherwise. This sent fans of the solar EV company into a tizzy, but Aptera’s founders took the feedback to heart… plus they were already developing the capability anyway, so they decided to add it.
Regardless of fast-charging capabilities, there’s still a chance that Aptera follows the same fate as Lightyear (and potentially Sono) by running out of money. During last week’s reveal, cofounder Chris Anthony explained that Aptera is in need of at least $50 million in additional capital this year just to reach the first gate of volume solar EV production.
To date, the company says it has raised $85 million from over 15,000 investors, including previous crowdfunding campaigns, but will need more cash to implement the necessary tools and machinery to mass produce its vehicles.
In addition to more crowdfunding, Aptera’s founders explained they are seeking government loans and grant programs to reach that additional $50M and beyond. All in all, the Launch Edition SEVs are still 12 months away at the earliest, pending Aptera’s own capital raise campaign.
Not the brightest time for solar EV development, but the technology has been proven effective and could truly change electric mobility… someday. We just need to see who has deep enough pockets to scale it to the masses.
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A dozen Tesla vehicles burned at a store in Toulouse, France. Arson is suspected amid global protests and vandalism attacks against Tesla and Elon Musk.
Last night, a dozen Tesla vehicles burned down at Tesla’s retail and service location in Plaisance-du-Touch near Toulouse, France.
Firefighters arrived on the scene at around 4 a.m. and contained the fire to the vehicles. Eight of them were completely destroyed, and four were greatly damaged. The damages are estimated at over 700,000 euros.
According to the local news (translated from French), the police suspected arson as a hole was found in a fence, and threats had been made over the last few weeks. The Tesla location remained closed all day.
Tesla is currently being protested by anti-fascist groups around the world, especially in the US, where many are targeting Tesla to protest against Elon Musk’s involvement in the US government.
In France, there were a few protests planned, but some extremist groups are calling for widespread arson against Tesla stores:
I won’t share the link to the article since it gives step-by-step instructions on how to burn down Tesla stores without getting caught, but the manifesto explains that they are going after Tesla as a “symbol of capitalism,” although they also list a dozen other reasons including the fact that they think it’s “doable and cheap.”
Electrek’s Take
This is getting nuts. It’s not only dangerous, but it’s also not super effective in achieving the goal they claim to want to achieve.
Have they never heard of insurance? Tesla is having issues selling cars right now. You are burning unsold inventory that they can then claim to their insurance.
Sure, it disrupts their operations for a short period of time, but it’s not worth it.
Their manifesto does say to avoid violence and not to target vehicles owned by individuals – though it doesn’t sound like a strict rule for them, but I think these people are likely going to end up in jail for having achieved nothing.
The protests and boycotts are going strong. You don’t need to burn cars to make yourself heard.
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Environment
Ford F-150 Lightning sales have been falling for months: What’s going on with the EV pickup?
Is Ford’s electric pickup in trouble? Sales have been down for months, and February showed no relief. What’s going on with the Ford F-150 Lightning?
Ford F-150 Lightning sales drop again in February 2025
Ford’s US sales dropped by 9% last month. Although electrified vehicles, including EVs and hybrids, both notched double-digit growth, sales of Ford’s gas-powered (ICE) models, which accounted for over 85% of deliveries, fell nearly 13%.
Hybrids saw higher demand with sales up 27.5% to 15,357, while EV sales increased 15% to 7,326. The Mustang Mach-E was a bright spot with 3,312 models sold in February, up 13% from the prior year.
With 6,841 Mach-Es sold through the first three months of 2025, Ford’s electric crossover SUV remains a top-selling EV in the US.
Ford’s electric pickup didn’t fare as well. F-150 Lightning Sales were down nearly 15% last month with only 2,199 units sold. Through March, Ford has sold 15% fewer Lightning models than it did at this time last year.
Sales of the electric pickup have been slipping for months now. In the final three months of 2024, F-150 Lightning sales were down 10%.
The Lightning, alongside Rivian’s R1T, are no longer the only electric pickups on the market. Ford is facing new competition with the Tesla Cybertruck, Chevy Silverado EV, and GMC Sierra EV, arriving.
According to Cox Automotive, the Tesla Cybertruck slipped past the Lightning to become the fifth best-selling EV in the US last year with nearly 39,000 units sold. Ford’s Lightning was sixth with just over 33,500 models sold.
Ford extended its “Power Promise” promo earlier this year to boost demand, giving EV buyers a Level 2 home charger and other benefits, but Lightning sales are still down.
The American automaker cut Lightning production at its Rouge Electric Vehicle Center last year, citing slower-than-expected demand. A new report from Automotive News claims Ford is now ending a pilot program to stock and distribute EVs through regional hubs after it failed to catch on. It was designed to speed up deliveries.
Although Ford plans to launch a smaller midsize electric pickup, it won’t arrive until at least two more years. With new competition, like the Ram 1500 REV and Volkswagen Scout pickup, hitting the market over the next few years, Ford may find it even harder to attract buyers.
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Costco’s Auto Program recently introduced some new member-only incentives, and the 2025 Volvo EX90 BEV is now on its list.
Volvo is offering Costco Executive Members $2,000 off the 2025 EX90. Costco Gold Star and Business members are eligible for $1,500 off. The incentives are available on all versions of the Volvo EX90 for members who purchase or lease from February 24 to April 30, 2025. It’s the only non-GM EV that’s that’s eligible for an incentive through the EV program.
The offer is compatible with A-Plan pricing for employees, as well as Affinity Pricing for teachers and first responders. Costco members will have had to have been members as of February 23 and be the primary members on the Costco account to qualify.
However, CarsDirect gave the heads up on how buyers can get up to $10,000 off the EX90’s MSRP. As we stated, if you’re a Costco Executive Member, that’s $2,000 off. Then, add the $7,500 EV Lease Allowance and a $500 loyalty discount on leases if you currently own or lease a Volvo or have owned or leased a Volvo within the past six months.
With the destination fee included, the base EX90 MSRP starts at $81,290, so that brings it down to $71,290, a more than 12% discount, a pretty good deal.
The 2025 AWD Volvo EX90, which can seat seven passengers comfortably, has a range of up to 310 miles and is NACS-compatible. It has a 510 hp engine, 110 kWh battery capacity, and can go from 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds.
Read more: Review: Volvo EX90 is a smooth AWD 7-seat luxury kid-hauler
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