Sono Motors: EU Commission Promotes Mobile Solar Technology

The Munich mobility company Sono Motors has secured a total of 1.46 million euros in EU funds. The company, which specializes in solar technology, is to use the funds to further develop its solar cell products used for power generation on vehicles ranging from cars to trucks to buses. Sono Motors reports that it has already received 532,441 euros of the funding sum for the "Project Seamless-PV." The rest is to be paid out in installments.

Advancing Photovoltaic Technology

The funding, which has now been approved by the EU Commission, comes from the "European Executive Agency for Climate, Infrastructure and Environment" (CINEA). According to its website, the organization, which has been operating since April 2021, manages certain programs of the European Commission that "contribute to decarbonization and sustainable growth" and serves as an important institution for supporting and implementing the EU's "Green Deal."

With the Seamless-PV project, the goal is to achieve essentially three objectives over a period of four years, according to the press report of the solar technology company: developing automated photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing plants, advancing new manufacturing processes, and comparing the cost efficiency and compatibility of the technology with various market requirements. The report further states:

“Sono Motors will bring its knowledge and experience in the field of vehicle-integrated photovoltaics (ViPV) to the application of solar technology in three different vehicle architectures.”

Sono Motors had previously campaigned for support funds with its #savesion campaign for the start of pre-series production of its solar car. In this context, the company reports that it has received the mentioned 532,441 euros, as well as an additional approximately 45 million euros from the community and other sources.

Approximately 100 Million Euros Needed

According to the report, however, the aim is to raise approximately double that amount. Encouraged by the "strong support," they now hope to reach a total of "approximately 100 million euros gross" with further financial means gained from "new or increased reservation payments" for the solar vehicles. With this sum, they intend to cover most of the investments required for the pre-series production of the Sion solar electric car planned for 2023. The Sion is promoted by the company as a "cost-effective alternative to bulky, expensive e-SUVs." The call for support is thus seen as the first step towards an even broader "financing strategy," from which "positive domino effects" are expected.

Additional revenue also comes from Sono Motors' B2B solar business during the campaign. As an independent part of the company, the solar technology is integrated into vehicles from other manufacturers such as buses, trailers, trucks, and motorhomes after various test runs, according to the report. The 23 partners to date include Scania, Chereau, Rhenus Logistics, Mitsubishi Europe, and the Munich Transport Company MVG.

50 Patents

According to the report, Sono Motors holds a total of 50 granted or pending patents, 42 of which relate to its solar technology. This factor is seen by the specialist for photovoltaic solutions as proof of its viable technology:

“The strong increase in patents – from ten at the time of the company's IPO in November 2021 – contributes to establishing Sono Motors' position as a pioneer in the field of innovative solar technology,”

it states. In some cases, a single innovation receives multiple patents that are filed in several areas at once.

Furthermore, the company points out that the funds received are used exclusively for the activities agreed upon with the project partners and the European Commission as part of the Seamless-PV project and that reservations are only made by individuals "residing in 27 specific European countries."