The completion of the design freeze phase is a milestone on the way to the mass production of the Sion. In this phase, every development team completes its design work. In a subsequent step, the technical data is handed over to the production partners of the validation fleet. Hence, the design freeze marks the end of the prototyping phase and the start of the validation phase.

The completion of the design freeze phase is another milestone on the way to the mass production of the Sion. However, it does not mean that the development process is over once and for all. Safety-relevant issues or technical adjustments, for example, may still be optimized at a later point as part of an ongoing evaluation process.
The validation fleet will probably be presented to the public in Q2 2022. We will be using the test fleet to perform, among others, physical crash tests, endurance and reliability tests, heat and cold tests, and a variety of functional tests. Depending on the test results, we will then make the necessary technical optimizations.
As you all know, Sono Motors considers itself a “community OEM”, which is why we will probably once again be offering test drives and viewing appointments for the new vehicles come summer. We will announce the dates of any upcoming events in due course.

We do not expect to produce a right-hand drive version of the Sion during the initial production cycle. Depending on demand and the Sion’s success, we may potentially manufacture a right-hand drive model in the future.

The Sion is expected to weigh 1,730 kilograms, battery inclusive. We’ll announce the final details as soon as they become clear during our preparations for series production.

We are transitioning to the validation phase with this new generation of vehicles. In that phase, the vehicles are tested in a number of ways. For any definite specifications regarding towing capacity and load bearing, we will wait for these comprehensive tests to be completed and for subsequent homologation before we publish the final specifications.

We are pursuing a one-variant strategy with the Sion. This means that we currently only offer one equipment variant. The Sion will, however, be prepared for installation of trailer coupling as standard. This is offered as an accessory and can be retrofitted.

The Sion will only be offered in black, in keeping with our one-variant strategy. We let the community make the decision regarding the color of the car as part of an official community poll.

Due to the introduction of automatic emergency call (eCall), from 2018, every new vehicle in the EU must have an internet connection via a built-in SIM card, in accordance with ECE homologation. In the scenario of a traffic incident, which hopefully will not occur, an emergency call is made automatically. The aim of introducing eCall is to significantly increase the chances of survival for seriously injured vehicle passengers. The Sion will provide further digital services and functions via the Sono app using this internet connection. This being said, the protection of your data is a key concern for us.

Charging electric cars is simple. There are three different ways you can charge your Sion using the following plug types:

• CCS plug: found at fast charging stations for a charge of up to 75 kW (DC).
• Type 2 plug: found at all standard charging stations for a charge of up to 11 kW (AC) and output (bidirectional charging): 11 kW (AC).
• Household plug (SchuKo): for a charge of up to 3.7 kW (AC).

The Sion will come with a Type 2 plug and a CCS plug system. We also expect the Type 2 cable to be included for an additional fee. CCS charging cables are generally integrated into rapid charging stations.

Different charging times occur, depending on the method of charging. The Sion can be charged using three different charging methods:

1. from European household plug (SchuKo): The time taken to charge up to 80% with a SchuKo to type 2 adapter cable can be up to 12.5 hours, depending on the load capacity of the socket.
2. from standard charging station (Type 2): This method takes 4 hours to provide 80 % charge and 5 hours for 100%.
3. from a fast charging station (CCS): The Sion can reach 80% charge in 35 minutes using CCS. You will have to allow for an additional 24 minutes to reach 100% charge. Nevertheless, 80% provides 240 km of range, usually enough to take you to the next rapid charging station.

Yes! Simply use the appropriate charging adapter to charge the Sion at any household power socket. However, we recommend you install a charging station (wallbox) to charge your car. This charging station adapts to the charging capacity of your electrical installation and tells your Sion the maximum current it can charge with.

The Sion system supports the following plugs: CCS, Type 2 (EN 62196) and European household plugs (SchuKo). For you to charge your Sion with your existing SAE J1772 plug, you will need to purchase an adapter.

The Sion comes featuring a large, family-friendly trunk with a volume of around 650 liters. The rear seats can be folded down to make for an even larger volume of around 1,250 liters.

Yes, the driver’s seat will be adjustable both up and down as well as forwards and backwards. The car will be fitted ergonomically, in line with standards (95th percentile person) commonly used in the automotive industry.

Appropriate ISOFIX connectors for child safety seats are installed. The number of child safety seats possible will, of course, depend on their size.

The Sion will have folding rear seat backs, 60:40 proportioned.

The Sion will leave the factory as a five-seater. Unfortunately, extra seats cannot be installed.

The Sion will be equipped with front-wheel drive.

Due to our single-variant strategy, we unfortunately do not plan to offer any optional drive types for the Sion. The vehicle will be equipped with front-wheel drive.

The Sion is designed, above all, for everyday, urban use. Off-road use is not intended. Ground clearance is expected to be 165 millimeters, to enable the vehicle to master uneven road surfaces.

The Sion will have an expected range of up to 305 kilometers.

We considered different battery sizes and asked ourselves various questions. Which cell technology is simultaneously highly efficient, resource-friendly and safe? What is the minimum range the Sion should have? What are our Community members average demands? After intense discussion, we came to the conclusion that a capacity of 54 kWh in combination with the new cell technology is just right for the Sion.

The Sion will be offered in one variant only. This allows us to keep development processes lean and reduce costs, as well as the use of resources. Additional battery sizes are therefore not offered. The Sion will have a battery with a capacity of 54 kWh, giving you a range of up to 305 km.

The battery is based on lithium iron phosphate battery technology. At the positive electrode, the battery's cells consist of iron phosphate, rather than cobalt oxide, as in many other applications. This allows us to avoid the use of raw materials such as cobalt, manganese and nickel. The elongated cells are arranged crosswise within the battery housing and together form the compact battery pack.

In terms of recycling, lithium iron phosphate batteries have certain advantages over other battery technologies. The metal combinations can usually be completely recycled. The additional absence of heavy metals means that the electrode materials and polymer separators can also be recycled to a high degree. The longevity of the LFP battery and the high degree of recyclability make the battery the perfect solution for the Sion. Given that we want to make our entire company as climate and resource-friendly as possible, we take the issue of recycling very seriously and are therefore working on finding the utmost environmentally-friendly and economically sensible solution.

Heat radiation that is beamed from the sun to the earth is mostly absorbed by the earth’s surface. The rest of this heat is then radiated back from the earth. Greenhouse gases, such as CO₂, stop the heat radiated by the earth from being let out into space. This natural process is called the greenhouse effect.

CO₂ is created through human activity, for example through flights, driving cars, manufacturing or burning fossil fuels to produce energy.

The man-made increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere strengthens the natural greenhouse effect, causing global warming. CO₂ plays a significant role as it makes up most of the greenhouse gas emissions caused by humans.

CO₂-offsetting is an instrument to help protect the global climate: a given amount of CO₂-emissions emitted at one place in the world is prevented at another place, because in the end it is irrelevant for the planet’s atmosphere where on earth greenhouse gases are emitted, reduced or prevented. After mitigating and reducing CO₂-emissions, CO₂-offsets are an effective measure to counteract global warming.

CO₂-offsets work by upgrading and expanding renewable energies and energy-efficient technologies in developing countries to reduce or prevent the emission of gases that affect the climate.

Individuals or businesses seeking to offset their emissions identify and record them, before obtaining ‘certified emission reduction’ (CER) certificates, by making an offset payment to carbon offset providers, climate protection projects or carbon credit dealers. One certificate represents a specific, quantifiable amount (usually one ton) of CO₂ that is saved somewhere. The advantage to this principle is that emissions are saved in the Global South – where it is most economic to do so. There have to be safeguards to check that emissions are reduced on a permanent basis and that the projects are only able to be brought to fruition through the additional funding received through the offset mechanism. That is, if those units or certificates weren’t sold, the projects would be unprofitable and therefore infeasible. The term used in the industry for this core criterion is the ‘additionality’ of the emission reductions.

Various standards are used to certify climate protection projects. They differ in the demands they place on the quality and environmental impact of the project and in local, social aspects. In order to register a climate protection project for certification, there must be scientific evidence of the project preventing CO₂-emissions. Independent bodies examine and certify this preventative effect.

There are further criteria relating to duration and social impact that must be fulfilled on top of those for climate protection benefits. High-quality climate protection projects are characterised by having positive effects for the local population of a project region.

Examples of this can include access to clean energy or improvements in household income or health. The most commonly used certification standards are the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS), Gold Standard and Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), the latter of which was developed by the United Nations (UN). The Gold Standard is seen worldwide as the most rigorous certification standard in regard to the requirements placed on what a project does. Gold Standard climate protection projects must ensure sustainable development in the project countries on top of additionality. The CDM, on the other hand, puts special emphasis on the quality and transparency of processes when registering and realising a climate protection project. The quality of what the project does and how it is organised is usually maximised in conjunction with the Gold Standard.

In June 2017 we decided to offset all emissions emitted at all stages of the supply chain for the Sion manufacturing process. We’re currently busy identifying and recording these emissions systematically. The supply chain of course includes the production and assembly of components and the accompanying logistics, though we also have to consider the emissions from our office and those produced by our business travel. Once we have finished identifying the emissions, we’ll get straight to the final selection of climate protection projects for offsetting, in cooperation with a partner specialised in the area. Our aim is to select projects that satisfy the highest quality standards and generate the greatest possible added benefits for the local population. The community doesn’t have to bear any additional costs for this. In keeping with the way we see ourselves and our goal of protecting the climate, CO₂-offsets are already included in the Sion purchase price.

The Sion is an innovative vehicle that additionally charges its battery using energy from the sun. In the course of series development, the solar integration was further optimized by our team of experts. Solar cells integrated into the body make it possible to use the Sion for several days without having to recharge it.

A total of 456 half cells can generate up to 1.2 kilowatts at peak power. This energy can generate power for 112 km on average (up to 245 km) of additional driving range per week. In a year, that's on average 5,800 kilometers of emission- and cost-free range. Solar integration allows you to cover a large percentage of your average daily mileage using solar energy alone. For the solar cells, we use monocrystalline silicon cells that are integrated into the vehicle's body. Selecting the right material is our top priority. The components used must meet the following requirements: A service life of at least eight years, resistance to environmental influences such as UV rays and water, break resistance and a low weight. Usually, solar cells are laminated onto a 2 - 5 mm thick glass. However, glass has a comparatively high weight and only low break resistance. We therefore use polymer as substrate material. It is light, resistant and significantly more break-proof than glass.

If you experience a minor collision, you should first of all check to see whether and to what extent the cells in the affected panel are damaged. There is a layer of polymer that provides the solar cells underneath with the best possible protection against impact and damage, such as scratches. Unlike glass, polymer is shatterproof and makes our solar modules significantly more durable than traditional panels. Therefore, you should check the damaged module to see if it is still functioning and only replace it if it is genuinely in need of replacement.

The solar cells integrated into the body of the Sion can add up to 245 km (112 km on average) of driving range per week through solar energy to the car’s battery. In order to make the most efficient use of sunshine hours throughout the day, charging via solar integration will be possible whilst driving.

Thanks to bi-directional charging technology, the Sion can draw and store electricity, and, moreover, share it too.The Sion is equipped with a household socket (SchuKo), which can be used for all common electrical devices and can be operated up to 3.7 kW. The Sion can deliver even more power when using a Type 2 plug. You will be able to power other electric cars up to 11 kW. Combined with Sono Solar, the Sion can be your power plant on wheels.

The Sion has a battery capacity of 54 kWh. Assuming a household consumption of 5 kWh per day, the Sion can power your household for about 10.5 days. This period is, of course, linked to several variables and is only a theoretical consideration.

Yes, technologically speaking, the Sion is able to power a household thanks to the bidirectional charging system. However, there are a few legal restrictions in this area which we don’t have any influence on. We’re currently taking care of the legal requirements for this.

We expect to be able to offer the wallbox at a price up to 70% cheaper than other bidirectional DC wallboxes currently available. This is possible because the conversion from direct current to alternating current (DC/AC) takes place in the Sion itself and not the wallbox - significantly reducing costs.

We will announce the final price prior to market launch in 2023. We estimate, at this time, that it will be in the lower 4-digit euro range.

This new technology is our pioneering work and thus we are offering the first cost-effective wallbox for bidirectional charging.
Bidirectional DC wallboxes available on the market up to this point are are relatively more expensive, as they contain an inverter to convert the direct current from the vehicle's battery into alternating current, in order to feed it back into the house. By integrating the inverter into the Sion’s on board charger (OBC), we can massively reduce the cost of the wallbox. This makes bidirectional charging affordable and at the same time enables us to make our contribution to a future with 100% renewable energy. Sono Motors sees itself as a ‘community-driven’ company. Therefore we lived up to this by letting the Community decide the wallbox’s final design.

The Sion can be used as a home storage system in conjunction with the wallbox. The vehicle and building are connected via a Type 2 plug. The same connection is used to charge the Sion and supply the building. It is therefore not necessary to change the charging cable. 

Using the Sono app, the user can set up what proportion of the battery capacity they want to supply the building with, as well as how much range is needed the next morning.

A home energy management system (HEMS) controls when the vehicle is charged and discharged. The HEMS monitors the house’s grid connection point. If the PV system generates more electricity than the house consumes, the Sion is charged. If the PV system does not generate enough electricity to supply the house’s energy consumption, the additional energy required is fed into the house via the Sion. In this case, no more energy is fed into the house than is necessary, i.e. no energy is released into the national grid. 

The wallbox is equipped with various interfaces to enable integration into the local HEMS: Modbus, OCPP, EEBUS (planned). Communication takes place via ethernet or wifi.
 

Currently we plan to certify our wallbox in the following countries: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy and France. The wallbox can preliminarily not be used outside these countries. We intend to extend certification to other countries, depending on demand.

The Sono app offers a variety of services with the Sion, combining innovative mobility with sustainability. With your smartphone, you can share your Sion, electricity, or a ride. The Sono app is also your digital key for the Sion and the window to real-time vehicle data. The data connections of our vehicle as well as the automatic emergency call service eCall are controlled by the Vehicle Connectivity Module.

The integrated carsharing function allows you to share your Sion with others. Everything happens through our app, no key handover necessary. Use the Sono app to manage users, create drop-off areas, and set prices. That way, everyone benefits from your Sion – including the environment and your wallet.

You can offer other uses a ride with the Sion.You share your itinerary via infotainment system or the Sono app. We publish the offer on partner sites and notify you as soon as a passenger is found. This way, you meet new people, reduce your costs, and protect the environment.

The Sono app in combination with our bidirectional charging system allows you to discharge the stored energy of your Sion. You decide how much energy you offer to power electrical devices, your home, or share with other electric cars.

Open Service System is an intelligently designed maintenance system that keeps costs as low as possible. Through publishing a workshop handbook, we have made it possible to establish an extensive network of independent mechanics, while keeping costs low for you. You can have maintenance and repairs carried out on your Sion in three different ways:

1. An instructional video and catalog ensure that you can install replacement car parts without needing much prior knowledge.
2. If you don’t feel up to it, you can easily bring the Sion into the shop for repairs. We don’t use mechanic certifications or develop proprietary technological standards. Our manual is publicly viewable and available. As a result, there will be an extensive network of partners who offer you repairs and service at an affordable price.
3. We are planning to cooperate with a well-known European service provider for any repairs involving high-voltage or body parts. Consequently, you can be sure that your Sion will be in good hands and expertly repaired.

The Open Service System will be accessible as soon as the car is in production and being delivered. At that point, it will be possible for you to order various replacement parts for the car. 

The moss is not only a central design highlight in the Sion's interior, but also a natural element that ensures a pleasant indoor ambience.

No, the moss is no longer alive in this processed form. It nevertheless provides a pleasant atmosphere. It is downstream of a commercial air filter and should be replaced at the same time.

First, you carry out a reservation to purchase the Sion. Here you have a two-week right of withdrawal. In addition, we are working on a completely new delivery concept. For an extra charge, it will also be possible to deliver your Sion to your desired location.

After your reservation you will receive a payment link from us. After the payment you will receive a payment confirmation and you will automatically be on the waiting list.

Your reservation is a purchase option. At a later date you will receive the purchase contract from us. You can then sign it and purchase the Sion or have your deposit refunded.

Currently priced at €28,500 (including German VAT), Sono Motors is planning to increase the car’s estimated net price before taxes and subsidies to €29,900 (including German VAT) when the reservation number has reached 18,500. You can preorder you Sion here.

The following applies to all persons preordering the Sion: you’ll receive a purchase offer for the Sion before delivery commences and you’ll, again, have the option of either purchasing the Sion and signing the contract or opting for a refund of your down payment.

The rights provided under German law for terminating contracts still apply. Here you can find the current terms and conditions.

Germany’s regular statutory provisions for warranties apply. On top of that, Sono Motors is providing a warranty for the Sion of probably two years or 100,000 kilometers. We are currently in the process of defining the warranty with our battery supplier and will announce this as soon as possible.

The expected start of production will be in the second half of 2023.

During the first stage, you can preorder and make a down payment on a Sion.  Additionally, we are working on an entirely new delivery concept. For an extra charge it will probably be possible to deliver your Sion to your desired location as well.

You can support us by reserving a Sion. If you've already done this, you can of course also increase your deposit. You can also support us by spreading the word. Maybe someone you know could also be interested in a Sion?

We decided to go public in the U.S. because this market offers great growth opportunities for us. In addition, investors in the U.S. are very interested in technology companies, which was also a decisive reason for us.

Our founders Laurin, Jona and Navina will remain in possession of the majority of the voting rights and therefore comprise the main influence on Sono Motors. Anyone who invests in our company will be doing so with full knowledge of who we are as a company, our mission and our values.

The IPO will help us to put the Sion on the road and thus pave the way for climate-friendly mobility. You can find all the latest information on our IPO on our website.

Sono Motors' stock is tradable on NASDAQ. Some brokers and banks also allow the share to be traded in Germany. In principle, we can be found under the ticker "SEV".

We represent a new entrepreneurial spirit that sees itself as responsible towards society and remains committed to its own values. Together, with you, we will bring the Sion onto the streets and make a difference. The down payment every Sion reservation holder makes contributes significantly to our common goal. Sono Points are intended to provide their owners with the potential to share in future financial benefits enjoyed by our founders. Currently 1 Sono Point is awarded for full price down payments on a Sion.

The amount of points is significantly influenced by your deposit amount:

• From 21/01/2020: 1 Sono Point with full price down payment
• For all reservations before 01/12/2019: at least 1 Sono Point automatically, in addition to:
• deposit of €9,000: 1 Sono Point
• deposit of €16,000: 2 Sono Points
• deposit of €25,500: 3 Sono Points
• Exclusive bonus for the first 500 full price customers: a total of 4 Sono Points

No, there is no personal liability through Sono Points. Specifically, Sono Points are so-called "profit participation rights", which do not contain any liability characteristics for you personally. You have no financial obligation at all. However, it is to be assumed that in the event of a profit distribution, taxes may be payable on said profits.

No, you receive the Sono Points (profit participation rights) as a personal thank you for your reservation are yours and are therefore bound to you as a person and cannot be traded. If you cancel your reservation before commencement of production, your Sono points will be forfeited.

Going public does not fundamentally change anything regarding Sono Points.

Since the launch of our Community Funding Campaign, we have stopped the referral program. All granted discounts will remain valid.

You can increase your down payment in your personal Sono Account. Please enter the email address that you used when you made the reservation. Immediately after, you will receive an email from us with which you can log in. Should you have not received an email, please also check your spam folder and verify that the spelling of your email address was correct.