German startup Sono Motors trials solar car that can charge as you drive

BERLIN — A

Munich-based start-up

has taken advantage of the strong Bavarian sun this summer to test the final development of the charging system of its Sion car, an all-electric

solar

vehicle that lets you charge as you drive.

Germany will likely miss its target of putting 1 million

electric cars

on the road by 2020 but the government said in April it was ready to offer support to companies that make batteries for

electric vehicles

.

Sono Motors

, founded in 2016, is developing the Sion, a fully-electric vehicle that has solar cells integrated into its bodywork. It can be charged via solar power, from conventional power outlets or other electric cars.

The Sion also features moss integrated into the dashboard for air filtration and humidity regulation. Sono says the moss needs no water or other special care to maintain.

Production will start in the second half of 2019 at one of its German plants and the company has around 5,000 orders which it aims to start selling at 16,000 euros ($18,540) next year.

Sion will have 330 solar cells attached to the vehicle’s roof, bonnet and sides and its battery system will offer a range of around 250 km (155 miles) before it needs recharging.

“We have a seat heater, there is air conditioning, there is a large infotainment system where I can also connect my phone interactively, which means I really have a full vehicle which is very simple, has no frills,” Laurin Hahn, co-founder and chief executive of the startup told Reuters.

Reporting by Riham Alkousaa.

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