Peugeot's new electric car - the BB1
Peugeot has unveiled a new zero-emission city-style car and wants you to help decide whether it should go into production.
The stylish electric BB1 is a fusion of a scooter and a small car - it’s electric and has handles with a twist throttle and hand brake instead of pedals. The car has a range of 75 miles, which is good for an electric vehicle but will keep you tethered to the greater metropolitan area you choose to cruise around in.
Peugeot recognised the fact that people in cities may need four seats - while the car is only a little bigger than a smart car, it’s been designed to fit four adults. Instead of holding a space-hogging engine under a bonnet, the BB1 is powered by two electric motors in the rear wheels and two lithium-ion battery packs under the right and left-hand rear seats.
This has to be one of the most environmentally friendly concepts yet - the car emits no loud noise and no pollutant emissions, and the car even has solar panels to operate the electronic onboard systems.
When it comes to gadgetry - the vehicle doesn’t have traditional mirrors and uses little cameras and internally mounted screens instead. While these are easy to use, there is no standard rear view mirror. I’m going to guess that if (er, when) this car goes into production they’ll have to stick one in because drivers rely on them.
Peugeot’s touring Europe with the car and asking the public for feedback in order to develop a decent product that people will want to buy. The BB1 will be on show to the public in Covent Garden on the 7th and 8th November.
Photos from the launch at The Hospital Covent Garden, 4th November 09
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