A Dutch manufacturer of solar cars, Lightyear, has successfully closed its funding series that will allow the company to further develop a car charged by solar power, which can reportedly be driven for months without charging. Since the vast majority of the cars are powered by fossil fuels, the manufacturer aims to accelerate the global transition to more sustainable fuels.

“By 2035, we want one electric lightyear to have been driven. For this goal, we are providing a scalable path forward,” stated Lightyear. “We are building an electric car that charges itself, directly from the sun. To create the biggest possible impact, we are moving towards our mission in two steps. First, we’re building an electric car that works anywhere. Secondly, and perhaps the most important, we will continue to build on that concept to create a car that can work for anyone.”

The solar powered car can be driven for months without charging and the battery is such that the vehicle can be driven at any time, even at night. Lightyear has been investing in technologies to build laminate solar cells for automotive use, which must be protected from wind and weather, and need to be placed on curved surfaces.

The curved solar panels used by Lightyear marry efficiency, performance and aesthetics by absorbing sunlight from multiple directions. According to the company, the car will be able to drive between 400km and 800km (250-500 miles) on full charge, depending on the configuration the driver chooses.