German mobility startup Sono Motors recently unveiled the first interior renderings for the Sion, a fully electric vehicle with full-surface solar integration that will feature a strip of air-purifying moss inside. Designed for autonomous charging using solar power, the Sion will be integrated with a smart system to monitor the vehicle’s solar range and energy consumption. Series production is set to begin in the second half of next year with a total of 260,000 vehicles produced for the European market with an expected cost of 25,500 euros ($28,077 USD).
Billed as a Solar Electric Vehicle (SEV), the Sion is defined by its full-surface integration of solar panelsthat are visually blended into the hood, fenders, sides, roof and rear of the vehicle. The solar panels are protected with a scratch-resistant polymer and the energy collected is used to charge the 45 kWh lithium-ion battery to help extend the range of the vehicle, expected to clock in at 255 kilometers for everyday use. The solar cells are estimated to provide additional range of up to 5,800 kilometers per year.
“With solar cells seamlessly integrated into the entire body, the Sion can easily charge its battery through the sun,” said the company in a press release. “Thus, under ideal conditions, up to 34 kilometers of additional range per day can be achieved with pure solar energy — CO2-neutral and completely free of charge. This means full self-sufficiency on short distances. For solar integration, we use monocrystalline silicon cells that produce energy even under cloudy skies or in the shade. At peak performance, the integrated cells can generate up to 1.2 kilowatts.”
The Sion will also be equipped with bidirectional charging for drawing and storing energy and sharing energy to power all common electronic devices as well as other electric cars. The interior of each car will be fitted with island moss as a natural air filter system. Electrostatic attraction will also filter up to 20 percent of particulate matter from the air. Sono Motors has thus far accepted over 10,000 pre-orders and counting.