Sono Solar, a subsidiary of Sono Group N.V., has received the European Transport Prize for Sustainability 2026 (ETPN) for its solar-powered solution for refrigerated vehicles. The award was presented by the trade journal TRANSPORT, published by HUSS-VERLAG.
The company won in the category “Energy Supply & Charging Infrastructure for Commercial Vehicles” with its integrated solar system designed for refrigerated trailers and trucks. The solution combines automotive-grade solar modules with a high-voltage solar charging architecture that generates electricity directly on the vehicle. This energy powers the refrigeration unit and auxiliary systems, improving vehicle range, CO₂ footprint, and total cost of ownership—without requiring changes to driving behavior or charging infrastructure.
“This award is a clear signal from the industry that solar is becoming a structural part of how commercial fleets decarbonize and manage costs,” said George O’Leary, Managing Director of Sono Group N.V. “Being recognized in ‘Energy Supply & Charging Infrastructure for Commercial Vehicles’ confirms that our technology is viewed as a scalable building block in that transition.”
At the award ceremony, Sono Solar was honored alongside major industry players including Daimler Truck, MAN, Scania, Krone, Schmitz Cargobull, and Trailer Dynamics—highlighting the increasing relevance of integrated solar solutions in the commercial transport and logistics sectors.
Georg Zurmühl, Head of Commercial at Sono Solar, who accepted the award, added: “I had the pleasure of many insightful conversations with decision-makers from leading OEMs and body manufacturers at the gala. It was clear that the market is looking for quick-acting solutions—and that solar energy on vehicles hits exactly the right note.”
Sono Solar collaborates with OEMs, fleet operators, and bodybuilders to establish solar as a standard energy source in commercial vehicles, from vans and trailers to coaches and city buses. The technology is modular and vehicle-agnostic, enabling integration into both new builds and retrofit applications.
