MUNICH, Germany – Munich-based solar mobility solutions provider, Sono Motors, has successfully completed its first complete vehicle crash test of its affordable solar electric vehicle (SEV), the Sion. The 50 km/h frontal crash test was carried out at the certified testing institution CSI in Italy and met the company’s expectations for the vehicle’s crash safety and the robustness of its polymer-based, vehicle-integrated solar technology.
The results of the test showed that the integrated Sono Solar Technology did not splinter during the heavy frontal crash simulation and did not pose a danger to passengers or other road users. The company plans to conduct around 300 physical component, sled, and complete vehicle tests to confirm the results of its years of crash simulations, and to ensure that the Sion complies with all legal requirements for pedestrian and passenger safety.
Markus Volmer, CTO of Sono Motors, said, “We are very proud to see our solar technology delivering the same satisfying and high-quality results in real life. We want our customers to be able to drive with the comfort of knowing that the solar technology in their Sion not only charges the battery for free but also adheres to the highest safety standards.”
In addition to the legally required test program, the company is conducting additional European New Car Assessment Programme (EURO NCAP) crash tests to increase the Sion’s crash safety for women and children. The Sion is expected to be a highly practical and family-friendly SEV, with future-proof advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) technologies included as standard at no extra cost. These functionalities, provided by technology company Continental, include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, attention assist, traffic sign assist, rear parking assist, rear view camera, and more.
Sono Motors plans to add adaptive cruise control via an over-the-air update after the start of production. Durability tests, crash tests, and solar tests have already begun on 18 complete vehicles, and further tests, such as winter tests in Sweden and ADAS validation, are planned for the first quarter of 2023.
