One thing that goes against the adoption of electric vehicles is that the charging electricity isn’t fully clean. It could be produced from fossil fuels and that’s harmful for environment. So, what’s the solution? Well, some experts believe solar power for car propelling is the best option and that has been made possible by Sono Motors from Munich, Germany.
The company unveiled the Sion in 2017 dubbed the world’s first solar-powered EV. After about 5 years, the automaker has accumulated more than 20,000 bookings where each customer has paid about €2,000, or $1,990 according to the current exchange rates.
The company confirmed the asking price at €25,126 (~$25,000). Once out, it will be the world’s first mass-produced Solar Electric Vehicle (SEV).
The German automaker plans to start production in the third quarter of next year. However, Sono Motors will not develop this vehicle on its own; rather, the company has partnered with Valmet Automotive – a Finland firm that will produce the solar vehicle. Once the production starts, Sono plans to create about 257,000 Sion solar electric vehicles in the next seven years.
If you have seen the Genesis Electrified G80, it also has a solar roof, but the Sion is different. The company has fitted a solar panel on almost every flat surface including the hood, the roof, the fenders, the quarter panels, and the hatch.
The only flat area that doesn’t have solar cells is the front end because the replacement should be inexpensive in the event of a collision.
Talking about the drive range of the Sono Sion, it boasts 456 solar cells with the ability to deliver 70 miles (112 kilometers) of range every week. The range will possibly double (or more) in regions that receive more sunlight.
Besides the solar power, the electric vehicle gets a 54 kWh battery pack offering up to 190 miles (305 km) on the WLTP cycle. The battery can juice up from a charger with a maximum capability of 75 kW. The car is also capable of bi-directional charging, meaning the EV becomes a mobile power unit with up to 2.7 kW output.
Source and Images: Motor1