German startup Sono Motors presented a solar-powered model called the Sion at the first “Celebrate the Sun” community event in Munich on July 25, and we learned that a prototype of the Sion was launched back in 2016. We learned that a prototype of the Sion was introduced back in 2016, and that the design of the production version was not confirmed until recently.
From the outside, the car features a closed front end. The sides have a flatter design, which helps to improve interior space. In addition, the rear end also features a flat design.
Interior, the center console has two screens, a dashboard a central control screen, no other physical buttons are seen, may be controlled by voice, air conditioning vents are more retro. The green one below is moss from Iceland (which can be removed manually) but has been specially treated to retain the positive biological characteristics of filtering particulate matter and regulating humidity, and this car is the world’s first to use moss as an air purifier. According to the company, this is not only a recognition of the car’s environmental credentials, but it is also a natural air purification system in the cabin.
In terms of range, the solar car has 456 solar photovoltaic panels embedded in the roof, hood, rear side panels, rear fenders and doors, with a total energy storage capacity of 54kWh, providing the car with a range of 305km, while the energy generated by the sun is understood to help the car add an additional 112-245km of range per week.
In addition to solar power, the car also supports 75kW AC and 11kW DC charging, charging 80% in about 35 minutes using the standard charging port, as well as bi-directional charging, allowing it to power homes and electronic devices.
As of July 1, Sono Motors has received more than 19,000 pre-orders and will go on sale in 2023 at the earliest, with an estimated price of 25,500 euros (about 175,000 yuan), which of course is subject to change at any time, but unfortunately the company currently has no plans to sell in China.
