Solar EV road-ready this year?

The Sion is expected to be the first mass-produced electric car that can charge its battery using solar power.

Its maker, Germany’s Sono Motors, says the five-door, five-seater EV’s roof, rear, hood and both sides are fitted with monocrystalline silicon cells protected by a layer of polycarbonate and that it should be on European left-hand drive roads by the end of 2019.

A total of 330 cells can generate a maximum power of 1204W with 24% efficiency, it adds.

The company says the solar cells allow the Sion to easily charge its battery by itself throughout the day. “This in turn means that up to 30km additional range can be generated per day in Germany through solar energy – very easily and completely free of charge.”

The solar modules are attached to a substructure, similar to how a normal windshield works. “That means you can also swap the modules easily and without a problem.”

If you think that’s green then add in a special moss integrated into the Sion’s dashboard for air-filtration. It uses electrostatic gravitation to filter up to 20% of particulate matter out of the air, while providing positive effects for the temperature and humidity inside the Sion, the company says. “The moss takes care of itself.”

The 35kWh lithium ion battery featuring water cooling has a more than 250km range based on prototype testing and the car’s top speed is around 140km/h. “Our plan is for you to be able to rent or lease the battery or buy it outright,” the company says.

Sono Motors has partnered with technology and service provider Bosch for the supply of the Sion’s Connectivity Control Unit (CCU). “The CCU supports our goSono sharing services, enabling you to share your Sion and its energy. This could lead to less cars, being used more efficiently. In addition, it allows the interaction between your smartphone and your Sion.”

Bidirectional charging technology allows the Sion to draw and store energy and share it too.

Three charging options are available – the combined charging system (CCS) fast charging, Type 2 and household AC.

“A regular, household electrical plug can be used to power all common electronic devices up to 3.7kW. The Sion can deliver even more power when using a Type 2 plug. You will then be able to power other electric cars and heavy-duty devices with up to 11kW,” says Sono, which describes the Sion as a “power plant on wheels”.

The Sion also has an optional tow bar and about a 750kg towing capacity.

Sono says it’s preparing for series production and that technical details will be provided later once a key phase of its development is completed, the information available now relating to its prototypes.

It may eventually make a right-hand drive model.

The company is taking pre-orders with about 9255 reservations already made.

The Sion will cost about 25,500 euros, which is about NZ$42,500 and A$40,500.

Visit www.sonomotors.com for more information.