If you think that's likely - and it would be great news for EVs and the environment if it was the case - I suppose we'll have to agree to disagree about the credibility of Lightyear's claims.
It's like you're not even reading what's in front of you. Compare and contrast the following cars:
- Lightyear One
- Tesla Model 3
- Mercedes EQC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JTew1D5Tk8
- Honda e: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEKq8jmckz0
- Porsche Taycan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohHEdaRhF1k
- VW ID.3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8cHHNPRg-c
Have a look at them all. Think about their shapes. Think about their weight. Think about the engineering and design trade offs that are being made. Think about materials and manufacturing costs. Think about the market segment they're targeting. None of this is amazing or mysterious.
The GM EV1 only seats 2 passengers, it's 1.77 m wide and 1.28m high, it even has fender skirts [2]. Its CdA of 0.367m² is still only 35% below the Tesla.
The Lightyear One seats "5 adult passengers", and it's 1.90m wide and 1.43m high.
So the Lightyear One is wider, higher, and has 3 more passengers than the EV1 - but it's going to have less drag?
One of us might not be reading what's in front of us, but I don't think it's me :-p
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automobile_drag_coefficient#Dr... [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Motors_EV1
Again, reading.
Try Madrid. Or Athens. Or Cairo. Or Sydney. Or Los Angeles. Or San Francisco.
> So they're going to be 69% more efficient than Tesla?
Yes. They're using in-wheel motors, they have better aero (shape, wheel covers, wing cameras), and they've focused on reducing weight.
Maybe read about the Lightyear One first before going off on a tangent.