The Sion's finalized production design was unveiled by Sono Motors, a company based in Munich. Since 2016, Sion, a practical solar-electric vehicle, has existed in prototype form.
Sono Motors made no mention of any modifications to the powertrain, so we infer that the specifications are the same as those of the previous prototype, which was propelled by a single electric motor that produced 161 horsepower and 270 Nm of torque.
The Sion's body panels incorporate a total of 456 solar half-cells. The typical 54 kWh LFP battery has a range of 305 km, however solar energy often provides for an additional 112-245 km each week.
The Sion can power electronic devices, homes, or other EVs with an output of up to 11 kW thanks to bidirectional charging technology. The battery can support 75 kW DC or 11 kW AC.
According to Sono Motors, Sion owners in German cities could charge their vehicle up to four times less frequently than owners of conventional EVs in the same market segment with equivalent battery sizes.
In comparison to earlier prototypes, the Sono Sion has undergone a facelift that includes new front and back lighting units, a charging port, door handles, and a rear diffuser in addition to simpler surfacing and a boxier front end.
Updates were also made inside. According to Sono Motors, the vehicle has increased passenger room, new seats, and more storage. The dual screen configuration and the moss-like elements on the dashboard are still present, along with the newly styled steering wheel and center console.
The car will be prepared for mass production in the second half of 2023 after series validation, homologation, crash tests, testing in various climates, the optimization of solar technology, safeguarding, driving dynamics, etc.
The Sion will be produced in Finland, with a seven-year production goal of 257,000 automobiles. The Sion's target price is €25,126, making it one of the midsize segment's lowest total cost of ownership vehicles.
A new "Solar Bus Kit" that can be installed to city buses to help cut emissions was also introduced by the Munich-based business.
The majority of 12-meter public transportation buses in Europe, including the Mercedes-Benz Citaro and the MAN Lion City, are compatible with the Solar Bus Kit. The bus's eight square meters of 1.4 kW solar panels, which are mounted on the roof, allow for the partial use of renewable energy to power subsystems like the heating and air conditioning.