Peugeot BB1 Electric Concept Car

Peugeot BB1 Electric Concept Car

The Frankfurt Motor Show has given the creative French automaker Peugeot the platform to unveil the innovative Peugeot BB1 Electric Concept Car - a "full green electric vehicle that reinvents the automobile in every way: architecture, style, interior design, drive, connectivity – while all the time respecting the environment." The Peugeot BB1 Electric Concept Car was originally launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show and is now being promoted as a concept in a number of cities around the World.

Peugeot BB1 Electric Concept Car

In London Peugeot have launched the Peugeot BB1 Electric Concept Car that seats four people in a vehicle just 2.5 meters long. Inspired by Peugeot’s electric VLV from the 1940s, the new all-electric BB1 represents the car firm’s view for the future of electrical-based urban mobility. The Peugeot BB1 Electric Concept Car, a cross between a scooter and a car, is powered by two electric motors which are mounted in the rear wheels.

Peugeot BB1 Electric Concept Car

The Peugeot BB1 Electric Concept Car is a fully electric vehicle with the road footprint of something the size of a Smart car, yet it is a full 4 seater designed to take 4 full sized adults for urban commuting in the worlds larger cities. The electric motors are built into the wheels and designed in conjunction with Michelin, and the chassis itself was designed by Peugeot’s motorcycle department. At just 2.5m long, the bubble-shaped BB1 can amazingly seat four people in saddle-like seats and its packaging miracle is achieved by rethinking the driving task.

Peugeot BB1 Electric Concept Car

Access to the vehicle is gained via the reverse opening doors, while the load area access is through an innovative tailgate design. The body is made up of a very light carbon fibre structure, designed to wrap around the passenger compartment. Inside, the car has an extensive range of interactive technologies, including a colour multi-function display and audio system with telephone, navigation, Internet access, radio, MP3, USB connector and 12V power socket if necessary.

Peugeot BB1 Electric Concept Car

There are no pedals so the driver sits more upright with the rear passenger's legs around the driver's torso, motorbike pillion-style. There is no room for a steering wheel either and the driver uses handlebars to control the mini vehicle, which is undoubtedly a real head-turner.

Peugeot BB1 Electric Concept Car

Drive is provided by two electric motors, one for each rear wheel (it uses last year's Michelin in-wheel design), allowing the Peugeot BB1 Electric Concept Car to maximize its limited interior space despite touting two lithium-ion battery packs. Together, the motors generate a maximum power output of 15 kW (20hp), managing decent start-up times (0 to 19 mph in 2.8 seconds) and in-gear acceleration (19 to 37 mph in 4 seconds) over an effective range of 75 miles. The power needed to turn the electric motor is provided by a lithium-ion battery pack that gives the passenger car an autonomy of 120 km. Weight, including the battery panels, are no more than 600 kilograms, making it insanely light.

Peugeot BB1 Electric Concept Car

Peugeot engineers have completely reinvented the way to design a vehicle. The Peugeot BB1 Electric Concept Car is therefore based on a tubular chassis designed by Peugeot Motorcycles. It includes all normal vehicle dynamic systems: electric power steering, suspension (double-wishbone front and rear suspension), friction damper spring assemblies - granting the vehicle a level of road-holding to match the vehicle’s performance, its urban nature and driveability and safety levels worthy of the Peugeot Marque.

Peugeot BB1 Electric Concept Car

Peugeot’s Managing Director, Jon Goodman, about the company’s future fuel strategy: “We need to have multiple solutions. In about two years we need to have vehicles on offer that use standard fuels but are more fuel efficient than today’s models. We need to offer micro-hybrids — that’s cars that use carbon-based fuels but also recover energy when the car is braking. We need to offer Diesel Hybrids which we will do in 2011 as well as a range of electric vehicles in about three years.”

Peugeot BB1 Electric Concept Car