The electric car that is rechargeable thanks to solar energy is now a reality. Not a prototype, not a concept, not a show car displayed in an auto show, it is a functioning, concrete vehicle that can be ordered starting from next year. A step towards unconventional mobility. And most importantly a step that everyone can afford, since its price won't exceed 12,000 euros.
The world's first production car partially powered by solar panels was invented in Germany by three neo-graduates who launched the start-up Sono Motors. In a garage in Munich they spent four years designing and making the first prototype of an electric car powered by solar panels. The creation of this car recalls the invention of the first Apple computer by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. Sion, this is what Sono Motors called their "creature", is a five-seater and six-door saloon, 4.11 metres long and made with light and resistant materials including polycarbonate and thermoplastic polyurethane. These solutions have already been used in the automotive industry; consider the BMW Group that uses carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) to build the cabin of the i3 electric model.
Sion is available in two versions: Urban, fitted with a 14.4 kWh battery that has a 120 kilometre range, which will cost 12,000 euros; Extender, characterised by battery cells with a capacity of 30 kWh, thanks to which it's possible to travel 250 kilometres on a full charge, which will cost 16,000 euros. The first models will be crowd-funded, so everyone can contribute to funding them with five or more euros. It will be put on the market in 2018. Provided that you have a green thumb, Yes, because the air purification system will use a small lichen plantation inserted in the dashboard. The best of sustainability.