Since 2018, VW subsidiary MAN has also been offering the TGE van with a battery-electric drive. Solar cells from Sono Motors could soon give the e-van more range.
The Munich electric car start-up Sono Motors has developed a vehicle-integrated photovoltaic technology for its electric van announced for 2023, which will also be used in the eTGE electric van from the VW subsidiary MAN. The large body surfaces of the transporter provide a good basis for the assembly of larger PV surfaces, which should then generate electricity to operate auxiliary units and to extend the WLTP range, which is limited to 115 kilometers.
Initially, both companies want to build three test vehicles: one of the eTGE, a panel van, a station wagon with roof air conditioning and a version with a cooling system. In practical tests, the aim is to find out how much energy can be generated with the PV solutions and what advantages this brings from the perspective of the environment and the customer's wallet. It remains to be seen whether and when the technology can be ordered.