Sono Motors expands cooperation with Continental for the development of the solar electric car Sion

Sono Motors expands its cooperation with the technology company Continental. The series-validation vehicles of the solar electric vehicle (SEV) Sion will be equipped with additional technologies. As part of the extended collaboration, a driver assistance system (ADAS) from Continental will be integrated into the series-validation vehicles of Sono Motors for the first time.

ADAS from Continental

A future-proof ADAS feature is to be standard in every Sion. The price for the Sion is expected to be around 25,000 euros net. In the long term, the driver assistance system (ADAS) is intended not only to make driving the Sion safer and more comfortable but also to ensure that the Sion complies with upcoming stricter traffic safety regulations of the European Union. The extended collaboration enables Sono Motors to increase the efficiency of vehicle development by leveraging existing modern technologies. Sono Motors plans to start production of the Sion, which has the potential to become the world's first affordable solar electric vehicle, in the second half of 2023.

"Our partnership with Continental began in 2018 with work on components such as the e-motor, software for the vehicle control unit, and the airbag control unit. Expanding our cooperation to other areas like ADAS and vehicle connectivity not only helps us to make rapid and decisive progress in development but also gives us the confidence that we will deliver proven quality technology to our customers," says Laurin Hahn, co-founder and CEO of Sono Motors.

Safer and Smarter Through Advanced Technologies

In close collaboration, Continental and Sono Motors have developed the software for comfort and climate control as well as energy, charge status, and thermal management of the drivetrain. As part of the extended cooperation, Continental will also provide intelligent connectivity features such as a passive access and smart entry system for the series-validation vehicles. This system automatically recognizes authenticated users approaching the car, opens the vehicle doors, and activates the low-voltage systems. The start-stop button for the series-validation vehicles also comes from Continental. In the area of safety, the two companies additionally integrate the Sion’s crash sensor. Engineers from both companies have already started an intensive test program with the series vehicles at Continental's test site in Frankfurt. During this process, the integrated technologies will continue to be validated and improved.