Sono Motors, the German company hoping to build a solar-powered electric vehicle, has abandoned plans to develop the Sion passenger car after failing to secure enough funding for pre-series production. Instead, the company will focus on its program of retrofitting and integrating its solar technology onto third party vehicles.
The Sion solar electric car was first presented in 2017 and formally unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in 2021 with a promised price tag of €21,429 – which could translate to around the $A34,000 mark. However, due to “depressed capital market conditions” and a desire to transition to a “capital-light business model”, Sono Motors has terminated the Sion passenger car program. This decision has resulted in approximately 300 employees losing their jobs, but the company will recoup significant funds, with an estimated 90% of the funding needs for 2023 generated by the Sion program alone.
Sono Motors has been working on multiple contracts to retrofit or integrate its solar technology into third party vehicles, and this will now become the company’s sole priority. The first Sono Solar Bus Kit was rolled out in November on an electrified Mercedes-Benz bus, and the company boasts partnerships with customers like Mitsubishi Europe, Chereau, and two Volkswagen subsidiaries – Scania and Man Truck & Bus.
The decision to abandon the Sion passenger car program is a difficult one for Sono Motors, but it is clear that the company is still committed to creating innovative products in the solar space. With 23 B2B customers across Europe, Asia, and the United States all piloting the company’s integrated solar technology on a variety of vehicles, Sono Motors is well-positioned to continue making a positive impact in the clean technology space.
FAQ
Q1: Are electric car batteries recyclable?
A1: Yes, electric car batteries are recyclable.
Q2: Are electric car chargers free?
A2: It depends on the charger and the location. Some electric car chargers are free, while others may require a fee.
Q3: Can electric car batteries be rebuilt?
A3: Yes, electric car batteries can be rebuilt with the right tools and knowledge.
