Market launch is scheduled for the 2nd half of 2020
Sono Motors announced that its solar-powered Sono Sion electric car to be produced in Sweden by National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS) at the former SAAB plant in Trollhättan.
The company announced a bold plan to start production in the second half of 2020 and a goal of ramping-up production (after initial lower-volume phase) to 43,000 per year (more than 3,500 per month) using a two-shift operation (up to 200 cars per day).
During the contract of eight-years, Sono Motors and NEVS plan to produce a total of 260,000 Sion (which is 32,500 per year on average).
It sounds ambitious, but a lot depends on whether NEVS will also help to sell high numbers of Sion in China.
"In total, an initial 260,000 vehicles will roll off the production line in Trollhättan over an eight-year period. Production will commence in the second half of 2020. After the ramp-up period, approximately 43,000 Sion a year will be manufactured in two-shift operations. Production will be carried out using one hundred percent renewable energy."
Currently, Sono Motors has approximately 9,800 partially paid preorders for the Sion.
See Also
Initially, there will be single version of the Sion, priced at €25,500 ($28,733) and equipped with about a 35 kWh battery for around 255 km (159 miles) of range (WLTP).
Over time, Sono Motors intends to diversify the Sion to other versions/derivative models.
"The innovative vehicle concept of the Sion already represents tomorrow’s mobility today – the aim of which needs to be the reduction of vehicles on the roads through more sustainable and more efficient usage. The Sion will therefore be equipped ex works with integrated sharing options. These enable the owner to share the vehicle itself, individual journeys, or even energy via a mobile application (goSono app), developed by Sono Motors. A bidirectional charging function enables the Sion to both receive and supply electricity, power electrical devices independently, and feed energy to other vehicles or into the electricity grid. Thanks to full-surface solar integration, the vehicle battery can be charged with pure and free solar energy worth up to 34 kilometers’ range per day in addition to its regular WLTP range of 255 kilometers."
"Since the presentation of the prototypes in summer 2017, the Sono Motors team has been going on test drive road shows all over Europe. On the occasion of the cooperation with NEVS, the next road show will take place in Sweden. Sono Motors has so far taken approximately 9,800 partially paid preorders for the Sion."
Thomas Hausch, Chief Operating Officer, Sono Motors said:
“In NEVS, we found the perfect partner for us. Together, we share a vision of intelligent and resource-conserving mobility. We also value our partner’s specific expertise based on their many years of experience in traditional automobile development and production in combination with proven expertise in the area of electromobility.”
Sono Sion specs:
- about 35 kWh battery
- 255 km (159 miles) of range (WLTP) – simulated
- solar panels provides up to 34 km (21 miles) of range per day at peak performance
- 120 kW and 290 Nm electric motor
- 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in less than 9 seconds
- top speed of 140 km/h (87 mph)
- 50 kW DC fast charging capability and 11 kW three-phase on-board charger
- towing up to 750 kg
Gallery: Sono Motors To Be Produced By NEVS In Former SAAB Plant In Sweden
