The car industry seems to have veered, especially in recent years, towards a path more focused on sustainability and smart mobility. These two attributes do not seem to be possible without the help of electrification, so that, also driven by an administration that has embraced the electric car as the savior of the car as we know it, manufacturers have initiated what seems to be the path of no return towards full electrification.
This movement seems to have given wings to many small manufacturers who have seen a viable business model, at least in theory. And we say in theory because one of the most promising manufacturers in recent times, Sono Motorshas just announced that it is in a more than dangerous situation: they urgently need help -and money- so that the production of their solar electric car, the Sono Zionarrive at a good port.
The Sono Sion was (actually still is) one of the great hopes for the European automobile industry, taking into account all that it promised: a 100% electric family car, capable of “self-recharging” by sunlight at a rate of more than 200 kilometers per week…all this at a price that does not exceed €30,000. The main problem with this entire operation is the need for more financing to get it into production, financing that seems not to have arrived on time.
The “solar electric car” of the people, on the tightrope
The founders of the company themselves have published a video in which they express their concern: after reaching an agreement with the company Valvet Automotive in Finland to outsource production, it seems that the company’s funds are not enough to throw out to walk the production lines of the factory. That’s why, the company has launched an apparently last financing campaign that will last only 50 days with the aim of raising the equivalent of the price of 3,500 full Sono Sions.
To do this, it has launched a double collection mechanism: new customers can reserve their future Sono Sion with contributions starting at €100 that will later be deducted from the final price of the product, and cCurrent customers who already have a reservation can increase the amount of that reservation up to almost €27,000thus obtaining a discount of close to €3,000 in the final price of the car if it is finally manufactured.
The Sono Sion is actually a great idea: a compact family car where practicality is key, almost completely covered by solar panels with which to travel thousands of “free” kilometers a year, with a spartan but intelligent interior and with sufficient features for day to day. Unfortunately, it seems that the most logical solar car is not going through its prime, which may leave us with a company that, according to the owners themselves, it would have to lay off 70% of its workers and focus its business model on solar panels. What will happen in 50 days?
