Over 2000 people attended Sono Motors’ first Celebrate the Sun community event, which was recently held. The Munich-based OEM marked the introduction of the Sion, the first widely available solar electric vehicle (SEV), in its production design as well as the release of its innovative Solar Bus Kit, a scalable B2B solution for public transit.
We are incredibly enthusiastic about Sono Motors’ mission to provide accessible, inexpensive, and clean solar mobility for the general public. The debuts of the Solar Bus Kit and the Sion in their production designs mark a significant step toward reaching our goal of creating a sustainable future and advancing said Laurin Hahn, co-founder and CEO of Sono Motors ‘s objective to cut carbon emissions. Our series-validation fleet’s manufacture and the presentation of the Sion in its production design are two further steps toward fulfilling our commitment to create a reasonably priced solar-electric passenger car. Additionally, business diversification through the development of our B2B solar company as a strategic pillar aids in the accomplishment of our primary objectives. With the help of our new Solar Bus Kit, we are effectively growing our B2B customer base and building up our Sono Solar company.
A SONO SION solar vehicle
Over its early designs, the Sion’s final production design featured significant advancements, including a smoother appearance and interior. The Sions’ revamped exterior features a new bottom sideline design, new door handles, a streamlined back with a new camera and 3D lines, and a new charging cover. The Sion has greater room inside and more comfy seats. The vehicle has an incredible array of equipment and safety measures as standard, has a range of up to 250 kilometers (155 miles), and can be charged using either regular outlets or the solar panels built into the car body.
The Sion is unique due to its built-in solar power. A single, lightweight shell made of 456 flawlessly integrated solar half-cells will surround the family-friendly Sion, enabling quick travels without the need for additional power sources. The Sion’s estimated 305-kilometer range is predicted to increase by an average of 112 kilometers (up to 245 kilometers) per week thanks to the solar cells.
Thanks to a special technology that enables them to charge at twice the typical pace, commuters in German metropolises will be able to charge their Sion up to four times less frequently than comparable electric cars with the same battery size. The battery can charge at a maximum of 75 kW (DC) and 11 kW. (AC). There will also be bidirectional charging, which enables the Sion to function as a mobile power station.
The Sion will initially be offered in four distinct versions: the Sion Pure, Sion Komfort, and Sion Connected, each with a selection of two battery sizes and a range of equipment bundles.
In close proximity to the company’s headquarters in Munich, Sion is now testing its prototype. As the company constructs its series-validation fleet in Munich, close to its headquarters, the Sions testing program has already started. Over the coming months, this vehicle generation will go through demanding practical tests in harsh environments in both Europe and the United States, including serial validation of the solar cells.
AN UPDATED SOLAR BUS KIT
Additionally, Sono Motors showcased their ground-breaking Solar Bus Kit, a scalable B2B public transportation system that drastically lowers greenhouse gas emissions in urban areas. The package includes an easily installed roof unit with built-in solar cells and a bidirectional charging mechanism, and it can be adjusted to fit any bus size. The energy produced can be used to charge the batteries in the car or power the electric drive. The Solar Bus Kit may also act as a mobile charging station for other EVs or supply emergency power to traffic lights in the event of a power system failure.
The Solar Bus Kit is an adaptable and simple solution that can be installed on the Mercedes-Benz Citan and MAN Lion City, two of the most common 12-meter public transportation bus models on the European market. Sono Motors will provide bus fleet owners who wish to cut diesel costs while maintaining or exceeding their environmental goals a thorough and efficient retrofit solution.
Our solar technology has already helped several partners reduce their CO2 emissions and safeguard the environment. For instance, in Munich, we are working with the city’s public transportation system to assist the city’s clean air goals. According to Jona Christians, co-founder and CEO of Sono Motors, these joint ventures show the potential of our technology for the transportation industry. We’re excited to announce the launch of our ground-breaking solar product, the Solar Bus Kit, which will significantly advance our goal of turning every car into a solar vehicle. The brand-new Solar Bus Kit enables us to grow our solar company by expanding the technology’s applicability to a sizable market: the public and private bus fleet industry. It also marks a significant step toward a world free of fossil fuels.
The Solar Bus Kit is a crucial component of the company’s aim to expand its B2B clientele and establish itself as a one-stop shop for electromobility solutions.
WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT Even if solar power for cars isn’t quite ready to meet all of our transportation demands, it has a lot of promise to make a big difference, especially for shorter commutes and city driving. Solar power can extend the range of lightweight, energy-efficient automobiles with low power requirements that frequently idle throughout the day and even partially replace grid charging.
It’s critical to lessen our dependency on fossil fuels, even in part, and to build out our electrical infrastructure. When conventional grid power isn’t available for whatever reason, it’s also fantastic for emergencies. Having these capabilities would be a lot better than doing nothing as the frequency and intensity of storms and other bad weather rise due to climate change and the risk of solar EMP persists.
This is obviously not a universally applicable solution. Grid charging and stationary solar atop a building, place of business, or roof over a parking lot make a lot more sense for many people. When such is the case, relying on it makes sense rather than experimenting with mounting it on a vehicle. But when it makes sense and meets needs, it’s a fantastic component of the puzzle for tackling climate change.
Sono contributed the featured picture.
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