Sono Motors, Pepper introduce solar e-bus in Europe

Solar mobility firm Sono Motors, part of Germany's Sono Group NV (NASDAQ:SEV), said today it has contributed its technology to an ongoing partnership with Pepper Motion GmbH in order to launch the on-street debut of an electric bus with solar features.

Denkendorf-headquartered Pepper is a digital OEM that specialises in the electrification of used and new vehicles. It has joined forces with Sono Motors to equip an electrified Mercedes-Benz Citaro from Pepper’s demo fleet with a custom version of the Solar Bus Kit.

As a result, the e-bus makes use of 14 semi-flexible solar modules totalling 1.3 kWp to generate an estimated 3.3 kWh per day on yearly average based on weather conditions in Munich. Sono Motors points out that the output of the solar installation is not directly used for driving but rather powers the HVAC and other auxiliary systems, thereby reducing the stress on the high-voltage battery and DC/DC charger.

The partners will now undertake a two-year test phase across Europe, providing Pepper clients with the chance to take part in it.

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