Peugeot Begins Pre-Bookings for i0n EV
12 November 2009
Peugeot has begun pre-bookings for the i0n, its i-MiEV-derived electric car developed in partnership with Mitsubishi. (Earlier post.) The company says that it has already signed letters of intent with nine companies and administrations projects for car sharing and large fleets in Europe.
For individual customers, pre-bookings are open on the websites of Peugeot Germany, Great Britain, Spain, France and Italy.
With four doors and four seats, a length of 3.48 m and a turning circle of 4.50 m, the i0n will develop a maximum power output of 47 kW (64 bhp) and a torque of 180 N·m, with a maximum speed of 130 km/h (81 mph). The lithium-ion battery pack supports a range of 130 km (81 miles) on the European cycle, and is rechargeable in six hours using a conventional 220 V socket or to 80% capacity within thirty minutes with a 50 kW quick charge.
In September, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) and PSA Peugeot Citroën signed a cooperative agreement on the development of EVs, one point of which was the development of an EV for the European market based on MMC’s Japanese i-MiEV model. The vehicle is to be sold in Europe, with both Peugeot and Citroën versions. (Earlier post.)
Peugeot introduced the i0n at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September; Citroën announced its version of the i-MiEV (the C-ZERO) earlier this week. (Earlier post.)
JV may be the way to accellerate the transition and lower the current very high cost of BEVs.
Better batteries and improved electrical-electronics will comme progressively.
A top speed or 130 kph and a range of 130 Km per charge are very acceptable for a small, city and proximity suburban, first generation e-vehicle.
PHEVs may be the best choice for longer trips.
Posted by: HarveyD | 12 November 2009 at 10:00 AM
Obviously, BEVs are not suited and may never be suited for long trips. I wonder about PHEVs too. By the time you're done fitting the big battery in, the electric motor and the gas engine, there's not a whole lot of room for stuff. So the car can take five people on a trip, but without their cargo. Not very useful. Personally, I think for a long trip, a station wagon with a four cylinder Diesel would do the trick nicely. In Europe one can now a Passat Diesel wagon with 4Motion all wheel drive and a 2 liter 4 cylinder Diesel engine. This seems like an ideal road trip car to me.
Posted by: Peter9909 | 12 November 2009 at 06:50 PM
There never has been a perfect vehicle for all people and all purposes.
If there were, we'd all be driving it.
The closest thing is the SUV - - Yikes
just kidding (unfortunately only MOSTLY kidding).
An extended range BEV with a little 15 hp ICE-gen-set like Henry, Harvey, Mark and dursun et.al. dream of would seem to be ideal (you would start the gen before you even left your drive way for long trips).
Apparently not - or at least not yet.
Posted by: ToppaTom | 13 November 2009 at 10:10 AM