Sono Motors & MAN to investigate solar-powered trucks and vans

German start-up Sono Motors is partnering with one of Europe’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, MAN Truck & Bus, to investigate whether the company’s Sono Solar technology can be integrated into MAN’s eTGE electric transporter.

Sono’s Solar technology builds solar panels into the roof and/or sides of commercial vehicles such as buses, trailers & trucks, and light electric vehicles. Sono Motors claims that, for example, solar integration of large refrigeration trailers of 13-metres or above can cover all the power demand of the refrigeration unit for a normal day.

The polymer-based design of Sono Solar’s technology can adapt to a range of complex vehicle geometries and, due to the larger surface area compared to passenger cars, light commercial vehicles offer a perfect option for integrating solar panels and reducing the energy requirements of vehicles.

These are particularly effective for commercial applications such as Last Mile Delivery services and are designed specifically to replace existing energy storage systems such as batteries or fuel cells.

Installing Sono Solar is also designed to reduce energy requirements and, in turn, reduce the number of charging intervals required, therefore extending the overall range of electric light commercial vehicles.

“It is a great opportunity for Sono Motors to team up with such a respected industry partner as MAN and to work together for a more sustainable future” said Jona Christians, co-founder and CEO of Sono Motors.

“Our Sono Solar technology offers a lightweight and adaptable platform that is ideal for light commercial vehicles such as MAN’s battery-powered eTGE. We look forward to all the opportunities that these two sustainable technologies can bring together.”

The partnership between Sono Motors and MAN will investigate the potential of integrating Sono Solar technology with MAN’s eTGE panel van, as well as the eTGE combi with on-roof air conditioning system, and MAN’s eTGE with a refrigeration system.

“The aim is to find out how much energy can be gained from PV technology over the year. Using this insight, we can then assess whether the technology pays off for our customers and at the same time helps to protect the environment,” said Dennis Affeld, Senior Vice President & Head of Sales Truck & Van at MAN Truck & Bus.

MAN’s eTGE is designed for urban and regional operations and does not cause on-site emissions and runs significantly quieter in operation compared to an internal combustion engine vehicle.

MAN also claims that, ove a period of four years, the total cost of ownership for it’s eTGE is equivalent to that of a diesel-powered TGE, and in the long term, the eTGE is actually the more economical option.