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Sion Electric Car Covered With Solar Panels
The Sion from Sono Motors is an innovative electric car that has integrated solar panels into the body of the EV, allowing it to charge as it drives.
(Sion electric car with solar panels)
The Sion has a 155-mile range and high-power rapid recharging, which allows an 80 percent charge in 30 minutes. The panels can add up to 18 miles of range in the summer in Germany — and should add even more range in the many parts of the U.S. that get a lot more sun than central Europe.The car, which will be available next year, will cost $20,000 plus $5,000 for the battery. But Sono Motors will offer an option of leasing the battery to keep the cost to buyers low.
Fans of science fiction Grandmaster Robert Anson Heinlein will doubtlessly remember the steel tortoise from his 1940 story Coventry:
It drew its power from six square yards of sunpower screens on its low curved roof. These drove a constant- load motor, or, when halted, replenished the storage battery against cloudy weather, or night travel...It could maintain a steady six miles per hour on smooth, level pavement. When confronted by hills, or rough terrain, it did not stop, but simply slowed until the task demanded equaled its steady power output...
The steel tortoise is one of my favorite science fiction vehicles.
Via ThinkProgress.
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