World’s First Solar EV, Sion by Sono, Breaks Cover as Pre-Production Prototype

Sion has been around in one form or another since 2017, but the company goes several years back. In 2018, when we covered Sion, the first-gen prototype existed and Sono had plans to take it into production in late 2019, for an early 2020 delivery. That would later change to late 2020 for mass-production and 2021 for delivery, but the international health crisis has pushed those dates even further back.

The silver lining is that the delay allowed Sono to further refine the Sion. The second-generation prototype was shown at CES 2021 virtually (see the video below for the full presentation), with Sono saying that this will most likely the car customers will be getting, whenever deliveries start. Pricing has also seen an increase, from a reported €12,000 to €25,000 ($14,500 to $30,200 at today’s exchange rate), but the quality of the vehicle is also considerably improved.

And Sono promises they will continue to work on improvements until units go out to customers.

Whatever changes may come, Sion will still stand out for two things in particular: it aims to be the first solar-powered vehicle in the world (not if Aptera gets there first, though), and it is the only mass-produced vehicle to use moss as an air filter.

Instead of paint, Sion is covered in solar cells on all straight and curved exterior parts, meaning the roof, the hood, the doors and the rear. They should offer charging for up to 34 km (21 miles) on sunny days, topping the electrical charge even in motion or when stuck in traffic. Depending on location and daily needs, this could be enough for the daily commute – as long as you don’t have to go out of your way for groceries.

If you do have to stop by the supermarket as well, you have standard electrical charging for that. The battery is good for 255 km (158.5 miles) on a single charge, Sono promises. But if you’re only using your car to drive to and from work, you don’t live outside the city, and you happen to be in a mostly sunny area, you can make do with solar power alone. A lot of “ifs,” but not impossible to be lumped together.

The electric drive is from Continental, with 150kW peak power, 60kW continuous power, and 175 Nm (129 lb.ft) of torque. Top speed is rated at 140 kph (87 mph).

The Sion will come with an accompanying app, which is currently in development. It will allow keyless entry and settings control, which will make this SEV ideal for ride-sharing as well, either across a network or between friends. In fact, as an extra push for sustainability, Sono says Sion is best shared – if only with friends, whenever you’re not using it.

Also at CES, Sono offered a good look inside the cabin, with highlights on the infotainment system and the breSono, the integrated dashboard air-purifier, which is made of actual, living Iceland Moss.

“We have found a way to deliver sustainable, free power across various transportation applications by replacing the traditional ‘paint shop’ process with integrated solar technology. While Sono Solar Technology is cheaper, lighter, and much more efficient than conventional glass-based solar cells, I am most excited about the potential uses that will arise thanks to its incredible flexibility,” Jona Christians, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sono Motors, says. “We are continuing to enhance this technology and look forward to our next achievements.”

Because of the international context, Sono can’t offer an estimate on deliveries. However, it’s still taking pre-orders for the Sion.