EV that carries the sun is relevant in Portugal – Observer
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AN start of German origin Sono Motors designed the Sion, an electric vehicle that certainly does not have one of its greatest attributes in its aesthetics, but which stands out for its ability to supply energy to the grid instead of just extracting it, thanks to a bidirectional charging system, and above all for being able to recharge its lithium-ion battery through exposure to the sun, thanks to 248 photovoltaic cells integrated in the body and roof. An idea that, according to the company, has already attracted 15,000 customers, including Portuguese. How many is not specified.
The habit of looking for a shade to park is not recommended for those who want to get the most out of Sion and enjoy energy at no cost. Like any other battery electric, the german hatchback is rechargeable by cable, but the connection to the current is complemented by photovoltaic panels, capable of injecting the energy needed to travel up to 245 km into the accumulator. This in optimal conditions and over the course of a week, estimate Sono Motors itself. But with the advantage that electricity is free, potentially to travel “5800 km per year”.
This will have been the great attraction on the basis of the 15,000 reserves that a company announced it had, each one marked with a deposit of 500 €. In other words, still with the prototype under development and already advancing that it should only deliver the first Sion units in the first half of 2023, Sono has already managed to collect 7.5 million euros on its side on account of the interest accounts. Most come from Germany, Austria and Switzerland, but there are other relevant European countries in exploring solar energy to charge your electric vehicle, including Portugal, Spain, France, Italy and the Netherlands, with “increasing numbers”.
Tram that charges the sun gathers 50 million
It should be remembered that the original idea, dating back to 2018, was to market Sion for values in the region of €20,000. Value that was later revised upwards with the opening of pre-reservations, rising to €25,500. Now Sono announces that the price will increase again, as a result of demand, settling at €28,000. The announced price increase will even happen, whether from the moment orders reach 16,000 units or from the 15th, it will depend on what happens first.
However, the development of the vehicle continues and with it some of its first specifications are being changed. The battery, for example, went from 35 kWh of capacity to 54 kWh, in an attempt to extend the previous range of 255 km to about 305 km. The accumulator, which weighs 360 kg, favors LFP (lithium iron phosphate) chemistry, which is cheaper, but also more durable and less likely to burn. According to Sono Motors, the Sion’s accumulator is prepared for 3000 charge cycles and continues to be liquid-cooled, as before the first prototype. Charging can be carried out with a maximum power of 75 kW in direct current (DC), which allows it to reach 100% after one hour, or 5 hours in alternating current (AC) at 11 kW. As for the electric motor that is mounted on the front axle, it maintains the delivery of 120 kW (163 hp) of power and 270 Nm of maximum torque. The maximum available speed limited to 140 km / h (data available on here)
Designed in Germany, the Sion will be manufactured in Sweden, more specifically at the former SAAB factory in Trollhättan. NEVS will be the production partner of Sono Motors, a company that signals that, in the first seven years, more than 257,000 Sion can be found. After that, it is estimated that the tram that recharges itself with sunlight should see annual production settle at 43,000 units. But, for now, only 11 3rd generation prototypes are out, in the first half of 2022, to continue the development of this peculiar electric, capable of supplying electricity to any equipment up to 3.7 kW.