Sono Motors, a solar mobility solution provider, announced it has decided to pivot its business exclusively towards integrating and retrofitting its solar technology on third-party vehicles. With this Sono Motors terminated Sion EV and is now more focused on Solar Tech Business.
A German-based company Sono Motors which went public in November 2022, announced the termination of its long-time-awaited Sion EV program. Solar power hardware like power electronics and software is already tested and used. With 23 B2B customers across Asia, Europe, and the United States, Sono Motor is piloting its integrated solar technology on different types of vehicles that include third-party vehicles like buses, recreational vehicles (RVs), OEM cars, and refrigerated vehicles.
It is beneficial for Fleet Operators also as it can help save fuel and costs further decreasing CO2 thus, inputting their contribution to the fight against climate change through a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
Laurin Hahn, co-founder, and CEO of Sono Motors said, “This pivot marks a significant step in Sono Motors’ business development. Even though we had to terminate our original passion project, the Sion program, shifting our entire focus to business-to-business solar solutions provides us with an opportunity to continue to create innovative products in the solar space. It was a difficult decision and despite more than 45,000 reservations and pre-orders for the Sion, we were compelled to react to the ongoing financial market instability and streamline our business.â€
In January 2021, the company announced its plan to license its body solar panel technology to other companies. Through this technology, other auxiliary applications like the use of electricity in a refrigerated truck will also be supported. However, this year after terminating its center plan Sion Program (EV vehicle), the company is working towards this plan with full compassion and dedication.
Also Read: How Do Solar Powered Cars Work?
Currently, the company is working as a development partner and supplier with companies across 10 countries in Asia, Europe, and the United States. CHEREAU, Mitsubishi Europe, and 2 Volkswagen subsidiaries (MAN truck & bus and Scania) are included among their customer lists however, now Sono Motors plans to focus mainly on third-party OEM cars and buses.
By scaling up its technology the company will introduce its next-generation mass market-ready retrofit solutions for clean and pollution-free public transportation. Next, it is planning to launch the Solar Bus Kit for the second quarter of 2023 and will talk to potential customers.
Patented technology developed by the company during the Sion program will be used in the ongoing retrofit and integration business and other than that Sono Motors is also planning to sell the Sion program. Also, the company has announced a payback plan for the deposits made to reimburse in various installments in the upcoming 2 years including a bonus.
For developing its new proprietary integrating solar technology (SEAMLESS-PV project) Sono Motors in January 2023 secured €1.46 million in funds from European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) by Europe Union Commissions. Sono Motors terminated Sion EV and is now more focused on Solar Tech Business so we can hope for solar-powered public and commercial transportation soon.
Source: Sono Motors
