Future of sustainable transport: This German startup is testing a solar car that charges as you drive

There is no free lunch, but there is a free ride! Confused?

Just think of a scenario, where your car could run continuously without you spending a single penny on fuel. Sounds cool right? This can be made possible by Solar energy.

Solar cars!

Like solar-power homes, solar cars harness energy directly from the sun, converting it into electricity. Then that electricity powers the battery that runs the car’s motor. Having said that some solar cars direct the power straight to an electric motor.

Sion – A self-charging electric car

Having said that, Munich-based Sono Motors is currently working on a solar car that can charge as you drive. Named as Sion, it is a self-charging electric car with an integrated photovoltaic panel that charges the battery during the day, which in turn makes the car a mobile power station.

Maximum speed up to 140 kph

Sion is a family-friendly vehicle with highly efficient monocrystalline silicon cells, which are covered by the polycarbonate on the roof, bonnet, rear and the complete bodywork of the car. It comes with an 80 kW motor allows a maximum speed of up to 140 kph. This self-charging car has a range of 250km under everyday conditions.

Bi-directional charging technology

Since it comes with bi-directional charging technology, the Sion can not only generate but also provide energy. Using a household plug, all common electronic devices with up to 2,7kW can be powered by the Sion. With a charging power of 50 kW, the batteries can be charged up to 80 % in 30 minutes. Hence it is possible to charge the car with an average household plug as well.

5000 orders till now!

The company is planning to start the production in the second half of 2019 at one of its German plants and will start selling it for around 16,000 euros. At present, the company has around 5,000 orders as well.

“We have a seat heater, there is air conditioning, there is a large infotainment system where I can also connect my phone interactively, which means I really have a full vehicle which is very simple, has no frills,” Laurin Hahn, co-founder and chief executive of the startup told Reuters.

Founded by Laurin Hahn in 2016, the Munich-based Sono Motors aims to end the usage of fossil fuels in exchange for sustainable mobility.

Electrified sustainable future of transport

In recent times, reports are rife, exposing about auto industry cheating on emissions tests. The rise in solar and electric cars can have a huge impact in helping the environment. Also, the solar-powered cars in the future can be a potentially attractive alternative for consumers in search of more ecologically-friendly personal transportation. While fossil fuel has no place in long-term sustainability, we humans need to wrap our heads around solar energy, which seems to be a hopeful and possible future. Do let us know your opinion in the comment section below.

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