All-electric and solar-powered car successfully crowdfunded, Sono Motors aims for deliveries in 2018

After launching their campaign for the innovative and very reasonably priced Sion solarcar at the end of July, Sono Motors, based in Munich, has three days remaining in its campaign to garner final support from backers on Indiegogo after recently reaching their goal of €150,000. 

For those unfamiliar with the crowd-funded campaign, Sono Motors, a German startup founded by Laurin Hahn, launched its Indiegogo “solarcar for everyone” project on July 31st setting their funding goal for €150,000 ($167,370).

Recently, they met their goal and have generated a surplus of €17,785 ($19,844) for a total of €167,785 ($187,214) accumulated overall. And with three days to go, it will be interesting to see how much more funding the company can receive.

The rewards and perks that can be earned from backing the project, depending on how much you put into it, will get you a test drive appointment, a full day test drive, or discounts on the final product once it comes to market.

Here’s an introduction video to the Sion:

Key systems that Sono is touting for their vehicle include:

• viSono – other than charging through an electrical outlet, the integrated photovoltaic-panels on the car, which consist of monocrystalline silicon cells, can generate up to 30 km (~18 miles) of range from the sun, according to the company.
• reSono – their online maintenance system that allows owners to reorder inexpensive spare parts online which is intended to help simplify servicing the vehicle and maximize the service life.
• breSono – their natural air filter using a special lichen (moss) that yields “excellent air filtration” even in a big city. It would be interesting to see how it compares to Tesla’s HEPA air filter.

There will initially be two versions of the car, the Urban and the Extender, both offered for a relatively inexpensive price. The Urban is projected to cost about €12,000 ($13,200) with a 14.4 kWh battery pack and a range of about 120 km (75 miles). On the higher end, the Extender is expected to list for €16,000 ($17,600) with a 30 kWh battery pack and 250 km (155 miles) of range. Both trim levels will come with a 50 kW motor, top speed of 140 km/h (87 mp/h), 6 seats, a 10-inch display and the systems that I mentioned above.

As of right now, the company is continuing to generate capital to produce several prototypes and are aiming to offer test drives in early 2017 to those who earned it in the campaign. Deliveries are anticipated to ship out in 2018 to all of the markets that they’re in such as the EU, Switzerland, Great Britain, USA, Canada, India and Australia.