German Start-Up Trials Solar Car That Can Charge As You Drive

[50 shades of black + 254]

A Munich-based start-up has taken advantage of the strong Bavarian sun this summer to test the final development of the charging system of its Sion car, an all-electric solar vehicle that lets you charge as you drive.Germany will likely miss its target of putting 1 million electric cars on the road by 2020 but the government said in April it was ready to offer support to companies that make batteries for electric vehicles. Sono Motors, founded in 2016, is developing the Sion, a fully-electric vehicle that has solar cells integrated into its bodywork. It can be charged via solar power, from conventional power outlets or other electric cars. Production will start in the second half of 2019 at one of its German plants and the company has around 5,000 orders which it aims to start selling at 16,000 euros ($18,540) next year.

[franco + 96]

It sounds amazing and it will make the streets safer at night for pedestrians and cyclists.

[rainman + 263]

These are cool, but hybrids, electric, and hydrogen-fuel cell cars are more viable for large-scale production currently. I think reducing prices on them should be the objective right now.

[pinto + 293]

If this is viable, it needs to happen. If we all support this, then it would happen.

[Petar + 76]

One less dirty energy vehicle.  Keep on, keeping on.

[damirUSBiH + 327]

One year ago, this German start-up Sono Motors has crowd-funded $200,000 to build prototypes of its snub-nose Sion, a car sporting solar panels on its body. And, today they have result. Good job, Sono!