Dutch electric and solar car maker Lightyear has stopped production of its luxury Lightyear 0 modal, just days after announcing a new 10,000 vehicle order for its more affordable family car.

The company has now requested court protection from creditors for the subsidiary responsible for the 0 version, although it is not clear exactly what form this will take.

‘Unfortunately we had to make this decision,’ chief executive Lex Hoefsloot said in a statement. ‘The whole process of developing Lightyear 0 has provided our company many valuable lessons over the past years. We are now redirecting all our energy towards building Lightyear 2 in order to make it available to clients on schedule.’

The Lightyear 2 will have a range of 800 kilometres and will be partly powered by solar panels in its roof and hood. As yet it is unclear where the cars will be made but the first are due to roll off the production line in 2025.

The Lightyear 0, which cost €250,000, was being built by Valmet Automotiv in Finland. Production started in November and so far ‘a handful’ have been completed.