Germany - 2016

The SION is an innovative electric car with integrated solar cells in the body, a range of 250km and a price of less than € 16,000. 30 free kilometers per day are possible with electricity generated by the sun. The stored energy can be used through bidirectional charging for all common electronic devices. SION is a family friendly vehicle, thanks to 6 seats and optional trailer coupling.

As electric power becomes more widespread, novel workarounds to minimize range anxiety are becoming more common. From fast charging to fuel cells, eking more mileage out of batteries will be crucial if electric cars are to win over devotees of gas and diesel. German company Sono Motors plans on using solar panels to solve the problem, with its compact Sion commuter.

The original Fisker Karma dipped its toe into the waters of solar charging, using a small panel in the roof to charge ancillary systems, and the new Karma Revero can draw around 2.4 km from the sun. But neither embraced the idea of solar charging like Sono, which has fitted mono-cystalline silicon cells to the roof, bonnet, boot and sides of the car. The company claims owners will get around 30 km of range from the sun over the course of an average day. The solar cells are covered with an 8 mm layer of polycarbonate, and total surface area is 7.5 square meters . Sono says it's actually being conservative with the 30 km estimate. According to the company, it is technically possible that the car's 349 total cells, producing a peak 1,144 W at 22 percent efficiency, are enough to provide 65 km of range.

The Sion can can be charged like a regular electric car. Urban models use a 14.4 kWh battery for a maximum range of 120 km, and the more expensive Extender uses a 30 kWh battery for 250 km of silent running.

Both models can be charged to 80 percent in just half an hour, or topped up more slowly using a regular wall socket. The 50 kW motor can take the car up to 140 km/h, which should be more than enough for most inner-city and suburban commuters.