- Sono Group has developed a proprietary technology that integrates solar panels into a vehicle's bodywork to charge the battery directly from the sun.
- The Solar Bus Kit reduces diesel consumption and CO2 emissions in 12-meter buses, helping operators meet sustainability goals.
- Sono Group's solar solutions can cover up to 50% of the cooling units' energy needs in refrigerated vehicles.
The transportation industry is undergoing a lot of change as more weight is being placed on sustainability and people are weaning themselves from fossil fuels.
In general, the emphasis has been on EVs with governments and customers, demanding better options than those offered by conventional internal combustion engines.
Nevertheless, in my opinion, the switch to electric vehicles alone does not address the increasing need for energy efficiency and environmental friendliness.
This brings us to solar-powered mobility which in essence is a technology that could enable sunlight to be used as fuel in our cars; an alternative to reducing oil addiction while promoting sustainable transport over the long run.
Sono Group: Solar Pioneer
Sono Group is spearheading solar mobility with its establishment in 2016 and a mere objective of having all cars run on solar energy to enable the transition to sustainable modes of transport.
By way of incorporating solar cells into the car’s bodywork, this company has become a leader in electric mobility that is powered by sunlight.
It does not add some novelty to a vehicle but makes the charging of batteries right from the sun possible; as a matter of fact, changing even the car design itself.
The Solar Bus Kit: Public Transport Game-Changer
One of the standout breakthroughs by Sono Group is Solar Bus Kit, an all-in-one retrofitting solution designed for diesel engine buses.
It is meant to be primarily used in 12-meter-long buses that are most common in Europe, with a reduction in diesel usage and thus less carbon dioxide emissions by fleets targeted at their sustainability goals.
This kit also includes a solar dashboard, which is a gauge cluster giving statistics on sunlight-receiving capabilities allowing fleet managers to maximize fuel use effectively across different vehicles.
Revolutionizing Refrigerated and Recreational Vehicles
Solar solutions that Sono has designed can cover up to 50 percent of the energy requirement for cooling systems in refrigerator trucks, thus reducing costs of operation and environmental damage.
Moreover, the integration of solar panels by Sono on the top surfaces of sleeper pop-up roofs as well as sides of motor homes promotes autonomy during long-distance drives leading to eco-friendly road trips.
Future Focus: Retrofitting and Integration
Founded by Jona Christians, Laurin Hahn, and Navina Pernsteiner, Sono Group is looking ahead to retrofit and integrate its solar technology into other companies’ vehicles all over Europe and America.
They are already in partnership with some of the biggest players such as Scania (a subsidiary of Volkswagen) and CHEREAU—a refrigerated transport giant—towards normalizing solar-operated travel.
Sono Group saves time by working on existing vehicles, thereby fastening photovoltaic adoption and offering a realistic way to sustainable transportation.
The groundbreaking work being done by Sono Group puts it at the forefront for shifting towards solar mobility, thus edging us closer to an era where every car will be sun-powered.
Edited By Annette George
