Sono Motors Sion
Sion is an announced solar powered, full electric car, currently being developed by the German start-up Sono Motors. Its battery can be charged using the electric grid or its own solar cells.
History
The founders of Sono Motors have been working on the realization of the Sion since 2012. In 2016 and 2017, several crowdfunding campaigns were used to collect more than 2 million Euro for implementation. In July 2016 computer graphics of the vehicle were presented.Since August 2017, there are two functional prototypes built by Roding Automobile, whose form and function are already to be largely similar to the end product. Design, equipment and processing will be further optimized until final delivery. The experience gained during the test drives in 12 European cities is part of the further development. In autumn 2017, according to Sono, the series development began in cooperation with various partners. The Crashtest or Homologation is to take place in 2018, aiming for the 4* NCAP safety standard. The series production and delivery of the Sion is to start in the middle of 2019. In 2017, several medium-sized investors have joined Sono Motors, including the founder of the German energy service provider Juwi and the Böllinger Group.
On May 9, 2018, Sono Motors announced the award of a major contract for the development and manufacture of a battery system for its solar vehicle to the German automotive supplier ElringKlinger. The total volume amounts to several hundred million euros over a term of eight years. On June 6, 2018, Sono Motors announced in a press release that the Sion is to be equipped with LED headlamps that were previously unusual for this price category. Automotive Solutions Germany GmbH is to be the supplier for this.
According to a press release from Sono Motors, on June 14, 2018 the minimum number of 5,000 reservations for Sion was reached. On April 17, 2019, Sono Motors announced production would start by late 2020, using National Electric Vehicle Sweden at their Trollhättan site, formerly a SAAB car plant, but later delayed the production start target to late 2021.
In late 2019, the company set a year-end fundraising goal of €50 million. It missed the goal, but extended the timeframe and hit the mark three weeks later, in January 2020.
Specifications
The Sion is a purely electrically driven car, which can be charged by a Type2- / CCS- charging interface, as well as by its own photovoltaic modules integrated into the car's outer skin.Drive
The drive will be a three-phase asynchronous motor with a power of. The motor voltage is 400 V. With the rear wheel drive, a top speed of should be possible.Solar cells (''viSono'')
The roof, bonnet and large parts of the outer shell of the body are equipped with highly efficient monocrystalline silicon cells which are protected by a layer of polycarbonate. The startup uses the product name viSono. The total area of the 330 photovoltaic modules is with an announced efficiency of 21%. The maximum total power output is 1208 Wp, which means that the daily range gained in Central Europe is at a maximum of a day under favorable conditions and on average over a whole year about a day.Features
Sono Motors pursues a one-product strategy, i.e. the car is expected to be produced only in one equipment variant.The Sion has room for 5 passengers. The seats offer of shoulder freedom and are all foldable. The drivers' seat is adjustable in height and position. The outer color will be black. The luggage compartment has a standard capacity of and can be increased to a total of by turning over the rear seats. In the interior, a natural filter made of moss regulates the humidity and filters fine dust. Front and rear airbags can be deactivated, so that child seats can be used. The electric handbrake is integrated into the center console. A trailer coupling for trailers up to will be available as an option.
The Sion will be equipped with ABS, an alarm system, driver and passenger airbags, side airbags with head and chest protection at the front as well as ESP with drive slip control. A reversing camera, cruise control and heated front seats will be included.
Current storage (''biSono'')
The bidirectional charging system will enable the charging of other electric vehicles via a further Type2 socket, as well as the charging of standard household appliances at the Sion via a Schuko socket.Criticism
In several electromobility forums, criticism was voiced, according to which the announcements of the start-up to the vehicle were unrealistically ambitious. In the prototype vehicles, individual observers recognized parts of the interior, chassis and drive of the BMW i3 with a concealed or removed BMW trademark. This questioned the creation height of the prototype and made the announcements appear doubtful.On September 14, 2017, Sono Motors responded to this criticism in social networks and forums.
Battery and range
A water-cooled Li-Ion battery with a capacity of 35-45 kWh and a weight of approx. is to be used as the Sion's power storage. Because of the current rapid advances in battery technology, the final battery choice has been deferred until later in the development process.The Sion will be delivered with a CCS connector system with an integrated Type 2 connector. The type 2 charging cable is expected to be available at an extra charge. The built-in charger is designed to charge the battery with 3.7 kW to 22 kW of power for Mode2 and Mode3 charging according to IEC 62196. For DC charging to CCS, 50 kW charging capacity is indicated.
The Sion is to have a range of , which corresponds to approximately under realistic driving conditions.
Flexible Charging
According to Sion the charging can be performed on any charging station in Europe employing various charging methods such as SchuKo, Type 2, and CCS.Using SchuKo in other words European Household Plug method, the empty car battery fully charges completely up to 100 percent up to 13 hours, based on the socket capacity.
The Sion vehicle using Type 2 Standard Charging Station method can be charged up to 80 percent in 2.5 hours and up to 100 percent in 3.2 hours.
The Rapid Charging Station charge the battery up to 80 percent in half an hour. By charging an additional 30 minutes the battery charges up to 100 percent. 80 percent of charge allows a 200-kilometer range, which is enough according to distance between stations.
Dimensions
| Dimensions | in mm |
| Total Length | 4290 |
| Total Width | 1830 |
| With exterior mirrors | 2100 |
| Wheelbase | 2770 |
| Front track | 1580 |
| Rear track | 1590 |
| Height | 1670 |
| Trunk sill height unladen | 780 |
| Maximum trunk opening width | 1100 |
| Trunk opening height | 700 |
| Maximum loading length | 1600 |
| Loading length behind rear seats | 800 |
| Trunk volume in liters | 650 |
| With rear seats folded down | 1250 |
BreSono
One of the inventions of Sion motors is the artificial air filtration called BreSono. This uses moss placed in the dashboard and the center of console to augment the air filtration. According to Sono motors, moss can increase the indoor air quality by filtering up to 20 percent of air particulates. The BreSono does not require special care i.e. watering, fertilizing, trimming or exposing to sunlight due to avoided enzymatic reaction of moss. BreSono has sponge properties that controls humidity where it either extracts it from the air or adds it to the air, according to the air humidity. In dry air, the moss provides extra moisture and its consistency becomes less soft. This filter could be replaced during a filter change.Workshop ("reSono")
The workshop manual for the Sion, including CAD data of all spare parts for 3D printers or CNC Milling, will be publicly available with the delivery of the first models so that future repair costs may be expected to be reasonable. With additional explanatory videos and a catalog of instructions on the site, it should be possible to install spare parts in the vehicle either independently of a workshop or by a workshop with limited experience of the Sion.Sharing ("goSono")
On request, the owner of the vehicle is able to use his / her mobile phone app to offer other people electric power, a ride-way or to rent out his car.Business Plans
Sweden
Sono Motors is going to manufacture the first generation of its solar electric vehicles in Trollhättan, Sweden. Previously, the manufacturing facility was owned by SAAB, though after its bankruptcy in 2012, it is now the National Electric Vehicle Sweden which is in charge of the production of the new series of Sion Vehicles as the crowdfunding solar-powered Sion EV.The Netherlands
Sono Motors Founders also intend to move part of their business toward the Netherlands, as there is a growing e-mobility market there. They plan to captivate and intrigue the public interest so as to launch their zero-emission vehicle for sale, holding tours in 18 cities of the Netherlands and Germany.Reservation and Order
Currently, the vehicle can be reserved on the Sono Motors website for a deposit. A contract of sale for the Sion will be offered to these prospective customers in 2020. There is a two-week right of revocation and rescission. The delivery will take place free of charge only to Trollhättan in 2021, at an extra charge also to a desired place.Prices
The Sion will cost 16,000 euros in its standard configuration without a battery, or €25,500 for a complete car. By the use of older – and thus no longer legally protected – components of traditional car manufacturers this low price compared to other electric cars is possible. The drive train as well as the battery are provided by automotive suppliers.The battery will be offered either at a monthly amount or for purchase. The one-time purchase price of the battery was initially projected by Sono Motors to be less than 4,000 euros., but was later increased to a realistic estimate of 9,500 euros.
Production
An intended long-term production goal is 43,000 vehicles annually, gradually ramping up to 260,000 by 2028. In late 2019, with 10,000 units preordered, Sono predicted a September 2021 production start, with the showing customer deliveries targeted for early 2022.Sono also plan to extend their vehicle models on the same platform, but they didn't publish any details yet on what those models might be, or what would be the co-producing companies. The aim is using 100% renewable energy to power that factory.
Organizational Chart
| Founders | Management Team |
| Jona Christians | Roberto Diesel |
| Laurin Hahn | Thomas Hausch |
| Navina Pernsteiner | Laurin Hahn |
| Isa Krupka | |
| Martin Sabbione |