Super Eco

Photo credit: david megginson, flickr

I may have the Electric Vehicle (EV) problem backwards. It's not necessarily about the EV manufacturer finding the right battery. In fact, it may be about the battery maker finding the right EV. In 2005 Bolloré Group, a battery company, introduced the "Bluecar", an EV designed to showcase Bolloré's Lithium Metal Polymer battery technology. Frankly, it looked awful but it presented LMP batteries to the green car community. This year they've returned with a power pack that hasn't changed much, but with a whole new Bluecar.

The car hits 88 miles per hour, runs for about 160 miles between charges, and produces zero emissions. It recharges fast, and the Bolloré batteries powering it are good for about 125,000 miles before they need replacement. So, not much has changed between 2005 and 2009 in terms of the power and performance. What has changed is that this year the car's design is beautiful! The battery company has enlisted Pininfarina, the world class Italian designer and coach builder, to design and build the Bluecar. The first models will roll out in 2011, and with planned 2015 production of 60,000 of the little four seater urban vehicles with the solar panels on the roof.

Who or what is Pininfarina, I asked myself. I'm vastly uninformed when it comes to auto design, particularly high-end auto design. After a little googling, I learned that over the years the company has worked with Ferrari, Maserati, Jaguar, Volvo, Cadillac and several more car companies to design and engineer high end and custom vehicles.

Oh. About those solar panels on the roof? They're kind of an affectation. They provide power to the car's accessories, but have nothing to do with with charging the battery.