Sono Sion

[Leo123]

This company is making an all electric vehicle powered with solar cells imbedded in its exterior.

Solar on Every Vehicle | Sono Motors

Sono Motors will integrate its solar technology exclusively into third-party vehicles. However, the Sion program will be terminated.

sonomotors.com

They claim they can sell it for $25,000 with no dealerships.

 

[Godboy]

This company is making an all electric vehicle powered with solar cells imbedded in its exterior.

Solar on Every Vehicle | Sono Motors

Sono Motors will integrate its solar technology exclusively into third-party vehicles. However, the Sion program will be terminated.

sonomotors.com

They claim they can sell it for $25,000 with no dealerships.

What happens when you get into a fender bender and your solar panels dont work anymore? Do you tow it to their headquarters to be fixed? What if you arent in their city? What if you arent even in their state?

 

[Leo123]

What happens when you get into a fender bender and your solar panels dont work anymore? Do you tow it to their headquarters to be fixed? What if you arent in their city? What if you arent even in their state?

Yeah, an accident would pretty much total the thing that's for sure!! Maybe they could make it with a uber strong frame and replaceable solar panels? Snap on maybe. I dunno, I just thought it was an interesting concept. Never would replace a combustion engine but, you might never have to recharge the thing and at $25 grand it's much cheaper than current EVs that need to be charged. They have no options and, like Henry Ford, you can get any color as long as it's black!! LOL

 

[toobfreak]

Nothing new here, they've been developing photoelectric "skins" for things for a few years now, provided they get the light they need to maintain itself, the obvious problem being snow, if you are covered with snow then your body can't collect light, and of course, god help you if you crash--- any body damage and you are no longer just replacing a simple piece of sheet metal or plastic.

The problem still remaining though that if EV batteries die after 10 years and are half the price of the car to replace, then all EVs become disposable cars that must be thrown away (or given away) every decade for a brand new one! Hardly environmental.

But I DID appreciate the humor in the car having a feature to help "bale out" other stranded EV owners by being able to "share" some of your electric charge with them to get them back on the road, then leaving the BOTH of you needing to run immediately to the nearest charging station for a 30 minute to 2 hour charge to really get you up and running safely.

And unlike an ICE engine where many breakdowns can be fixed with a hairpin or some duct tape, when an EV breaks down, you are likely really DEAD in the water needing a whole new $25,000 battery "power plant."

 

[Leo123]

Nothing new here, they've been developing photoelectric "skins" for things for a few years now, provided they get the light they need to maintain itself, the obvious problem being snow, if you are covered with snow then your body can't collect light, and of course, god help you if you crash--- any body damage and you are no longer just replacing a simple piece of sheet metal or plastic.

The problem still remaining though that if EV batteries die after 10 years and are half the price of the car to replace, then all EVs become disposable cars that must be thrown away (or given away) every decade for a brand new one! Hardly environmental.

But I DID appreciate the humor in the car having a feature to help "bale out" other stranded EV owners by being able to "share" some of your electric charge with them to get them back on the road, then leaving the BOTH of you needing to run immediately to the nearest charging station for a 30 minute to 2 hour charge to really get you up and running safely.

And unlike an ICE engine where many breakdowns can be fixed with a hairpin or some duct tape, when an EV breaks down, you are likely really DEAD in the water needing a whole new $25,000 battery "power plant."

They do say the solar panels are embedded and are protected with anti scratch surface. If it snows, the batteries in the car could get you going, I think it does have batteries. They are the same company making solar panels for public transportation. It really depends on the voltage those solar panels can put out and I am not confident they would put out enough to quick charge the batteries. From the link:

Powered by the Sun​

456 half cells seamlessly integrated into the body of the car can add 112 km, on average (up to 245 km) per week, of driving range to the car's battery, through the power of the sun. This creates full self-sufficiency on short distances.

The Sion is more than just a car. It is also its own home storage system. Our bidirectional wallbox enables the Sion to become a sustainable power plant for the home. What's so special about it? You are able to self-sufficiently supply your home with energy for up to five days at a significantly lower price than other providers.

The Sion's liquid cooled battery has a capacity of 54 kWh, which enables you to drive up to 305 km on a single charge – depending on the weather and your driving style. The perfect range for everyday use.

I know they will never replace ICE cars but how about current EVs? What about Tesla? Will he adopt this? Big claims from this company though.

 

[toobfreak]

They do say the solar panels are embedded and are protected with anti scratch surface. If it snows, the batteries in the car could get you going, I think it does have batteries.

Yes but without a clean surface, you lose the ability to self-charge just when you need it the most.

 

[Leo123]

Yes but without a clean surface, you lose the ability to self-charge just when you need it the most.

Great point!! How about a skin heater like Elon has on his 'Dishy'

 

[toobfreak]

Great point!! How about a skin heater like Elon has on his 'Dishy'

Any idea how much current it would take to raise an inch of ice-packed snow above the melting point long enough in 23°F?

An EV can't afford to waste that kind of power.

 

[Leo123]

How about an I

Any idea how much current it would take to raise an inch of ice-packed snow above the melting point long enough in 23°F?

An EV can't afford to waste that kind of power.

The dish doesn’t use much. It just keeps the temperature just above freezing. It’s more of a maintenance thing. If you get a lot of snow at once,, you have to clear the Dishy yourself first or use a special pre heat function.. Oh, and it’s not really a dish. It’s just a flat rectangle.

 

[The Sage of Main Street]

What happens when you get into a fender bender and your solar panels dont work anymore? Do you tow it to their headquarters to be fixed? What if you arent in their city? What if you arent even in their state?

EVs Will Be Called "Hearses"

What if the world wakes up and finds out that auto emissions ended thousands of years of pandemic after pandemic?