As electric power becomes more widespread, novel workarounds to minimize range anxiety are becoming more common. From fast charging to fuel cells, eking more mileage out of batteries will be crucial if electric cars are to win over devotees of gas and diesel. German company Sono Motors plans on using solar panels to solve the problem, with its compact Sion commuter.
The original Fisker Karma dipped its toe into the waters of solar charging, using a small panel in the roof to charge ancillary systems, and the new Karma Revero can draw around 1.5 mi (2.4 km) from the sun. But neither embraced the idea of solar charging like Sono, which has fitted mono-cystalline silicon cells to the roof, bonnet, boot and sides of the car. The company claims owners will get around 30 km (18.6 mi) of range from the sun over the course of an average day.