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German start-up trials solar car that can charge as you drive
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-solarcar/german-start-up-trials-solar-car-that-can-charge-as-you-drive-idUSKBN1KS105BERLIN (Reuters) - A Munich-based start-up has taken advantage of the strong Bavarian sun this summer to test the final development of the charging system of its Sion car, an all-electric solar vehicle that lets you charge as you drive.
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Sono Motors, founded in 2016, is developing the Sion, a fully-electric vehicle that has solar cells integrated into its bodywork. It can be charged via solar power or from conventional power outlets.
Production will start in the second half of 2019 and the company has more than 6,500 orders which it aims to start selling at 16,000 euros ($18,540) next year.
Sion will have 330 solar cells attached to the vehicle’s roof, bonnet and sides and its battery system will offer a range of around 250 km (155 miles) before it needs recharging.
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From company web site: "Under proper conditions the solar cells generate enough energy, to cover 30 kilometers per day with the Sion." As in, parked in an optimum orientation in full sun on a sunny day.
From a driver's perspective I suppose it's better than nothing. But the solar cells would be put to better in a fixed installation than on a car, where on average half the ones on the sides will be useless and only by chance will they ever be well-oriented to the sun.
More interesting to me is this feature - I have no idea why someone decided what cars really need is moss in the ventilation system!
For air filtering we integrated a special moss into the dashboard. It filters up to twenty percent of the fine dust particles and has a regulating effect on the humidity inside the Sion. No worries, you do not have to water it. It requires no special care at all.
