Sono Motors Demonstrates Solar Integration in Initial Sion Crash Test

Rhea-AI Summary

On February 7, 2023, Sono Motors (NASDAQ: SEV) announced successful initial crash test results for its solar electric vehicle, the Sion. The test revealed the vehicle's solar panels did not splinter during a 50 km/h frontal crash, indicating high safety standards and robust solar integration. All Sion vehicles will include advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) features at no extra cost, with a projected base price of approximately €25,000. Sono Motors aims to implement over-the-air updates, including adaptive cruise control. The company is conducting extensive tests to ensure compliance with safety regulations.

Positive

• Successful initial crash test results for the Sion, confirming crash safety and solar integration.
• Solar panels did not splinter during the crash test, enhancing passenger safety.
• All Sion vehicles will include multiple ADAS features at no additional cost.
• Projected sales price of approximately €25,000 makes Sion accessible.

Negative

• None.

• Test Program Continues to Meet Sono Motors’ Expectations Regarding Crash Safety of the Sion and Robustness of Proprietary Solar Integration
• Solar Panels Behave as Predicted: No Splinter and Thus No Additional Risk to Passengers and Other Road Users, According to Initial Complete Vehicle Crash Test
• Safety as a Standard: Every Sion Will be Equipped With Multiple ADAS Features at No Additional Cost
• Future-Proof: Over-the-Air Update Is Planned to Deliver Adaptive Cruise Control Feature in the Future

MUNICH, Germany, Feb. 07, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The affordable solar electric vehicle (SEV) Sion from Munich-based solar mobility solutions provider Sono Group N.V. (NASDAQ: SEV) (“Sono Motors” or the “Company”) successfully performed its first complete vehicle crash test. The result of the 50 km/h frontal crash test met the Company’s expectations regarding the Sion’s crash safety and the robustness of Sono Motors’ proprietary polymer-based vehicle-integrated solar technology, which covers the vehicle's entire body. The test was rolled out at its partner facility at CSI in Italy, a certified testing institution, with a Sion that was, including solar panels, painted green to ensure the vehicle is high contrast and therefore can enable more accurate evaluation.

In the initial, physical complete vehicle test simulating a heavy frontal crash, the integrated Sono Solar Technology did not splinter and thus did not cause danger to passengers and other road users. Until homologation, Sono Motors will conduct around 300 physical component, sled and complete vehicle tests in total to confirm the results of years of crash simulations. Based on the physical and simulated tests carried out to date, the Company expects the Sion to comply with all legal requirements for pedestrian and passenger safety. In addition to the legally required test program, the Company is undertaking additional EURO NCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme) crash tests, e.g. to increase the Sion’s crash safety for women and children.

Markus Volmer, CTO of Sono Motors, says: “After years of running successful crash simulations, we are very proud to see our solar technology delivering the same satisfying and high quality results in real life. We want our customers to be able to drive with the comfort of knowing that the solar technology in their Sion is not only charging the battery for free but also adheres to the highest safety standards.”

The Sion is a highly practical and family-friendly SEV, which will fulfill high safety standards in other areas as well. The Company will equip every Sion with future-proof ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) technologies at no additional cost. The ADAS features are proven solutions from technology company Continental and will be included as a standard in the Sion’s expected sales price of approximately €25,000 net. The functionalities include:

• Forward collision warning
• Automatic emergency braking
• Lane departure warning
• Lane keep assist
• Attention assist
• Traffic sign assist
• Rear parking assist
• Rear view camera

Sono Motors plans to add adaptive cruise control via an over-the-air update after the start of production. “We want to ensure maximum safety, comfort and efficiency for Sion customers. Thus, we have integrated some of the best ADAS technologies on the market and we retain the possibility of unlocking new software features over the air. By integrating state of the art technology, we plan to make the Sion competitive for its start of production and ready for the future,” says Markus Volmer, CTO of Sono Motors.

Durability tests, crash tests and solar tests have already started on 18 complete vehicles and further tests, such as winter tests in Sweden and ADAS validation, are planned within the first quarter of 2023.

NOTE
Reservations can only be made by persons located in 27 European jurisdictions. We do not accept reservations from persons located in any other country. We also do not accept reservations from U.S. persons. This document is for information purposes only.

ABOUT SONO MOTORS
Sono Motors (NASDAQ: SEV) is on a pioneering mission to accelerate the revolution of mobility by making every vehicle solar. Sono Motors’ disruptive solar technology has been engineered to be seamlessly integrated into a variety of vehicle architectures — including buses, trucks, trailers, and more — to extend range and reduce fuel costs as well as the impact of CO2 emissions, paving the way for climate-friendly mobility.

The Company’s trailblazing vehicle, the Sion, has the potential to become the world’s first affordable solar electric vehicle (SEV) for the masses. Empowered by a strong global community, Sono Motors has approx. 21,000 reservations with advance deposits for the Sion as of 30 November 2022.

PRESS CONTACT
Christian Scheckenbach | press@sonomotors.com | www.sonomotors.com/press

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release includes forward-looking statements. The words "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "plan", "estimate", "aim", "forecast", "project", "target", “will” and similar expressions (or their negative) identify certain of these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are statements regarding the Company's intentions, beliefs, or current expectations. Forward-looking statements involve inherent known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and contingencies because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future and may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to (i) the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy, our industry and markets as well as our business, (ii) risks related to our limited operating history, the rollout of our business and the timing of expected business milestones including our ability to complete the engineering of our vehicles and start of production on time and budget and risks related to future results of operation, (iii) risks related to our unproven ability to develop and produce vehicles and with expected or advertised specifications including range, and risks relating to required funding, (iv) risks related to our ability to monetize our solar technology, (v) risks relating to the uncertainty of the projected financial information with respect to our business including the conversion of reservations into binding orders, (vi) effects of competition and the pace and depth of electric vehicle adoption generally and our vehicles in particular on our future business and (vii) changes in regulatory requirements, governmental incentives and fuel and energy prices. For additional information concerning some of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could affect our forward-looking statements, please refer to the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which are accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and on our website at ir.sonomotors.com. Many of these risks and uncertainties relate to factors that are beyond the Company's ability to control or estimate precisely, such as the actions of regulators and other factors. Readers should therefore not place undue reliance on these statements, particularly not in connection with any contract or investment decision. Except as required by law, the company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements.

FAQ

What were the crash test results for Sono Motors' Sion vehicle?

The crash tests confirmed the Sion's safety, showing the solar panels did not splinter during a frontal crash.

What advanced safety features will be included in the Sono Sion?

Every Sion will come equipped with multiple ADAS features, including forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, at no extra cost.

When was Sono Motors' crash test conducted?

The crash test was conducted on February 7, 2023.

What is the expected price of the Sono Sion?

The expected sales price of the Sono Sion is approximately €25,000.

Will the Sono Sion receive software updates?

Yes, Sono Motors plans to deliver over-the-air updates, including an adaptive cruise control feature after production starts.