Sono Motors to launch solar EV Sion in 2022
Company has received 12,600 orders for the car via crowdfunding, it says at CES 2021
Sono Motors said on Tuesday at CES 2021 that its solar powered electric vehicle Sion has received 12,600 orders from crowdfunding.
The company will launch Sion in Europe first, priced at 21,428 euros, around the fourth quarter of 022.
The second-generation Sion showcased at CES 2021 can travel 255km when the battery is fully charged, without using the solar panel. The battery’s capacity is 35kW.
When solar cells are used it can travel in average and additional 115km, Sono Motors said. In Germany the solar cells can add 35km in travel distance on average per day, the company said.
The solar cells has been designed to be swapped.
Sono Motors will only launch one model in its Sion line and the only color available will be black. The cars use aluminum frame. They will be sold online without offline stores.
The company said it applied intelligence maintenance and repair system to the car to lower price. The system will be opened and the company will offer a handbook for use to manufacturer the necessary components.
Sion uses 240 solar cells and are installed on the car that is visible. The cells are made by Sono Motors and has an efficiency of 23%. The battery in the car only used minimal amount of cobalt, the company said.
Sono Motors was founded in 2016 in Munich, Germany. The second generation Sion has 10% longer travel distance compared to its predecessor. Solar cell has been reduced to 240 from the previous 330. However, price has gone up from 16,000 euros initially set for the first generation model.