The idea of a concept car is to harness a new idea and take it to a new level while making it affordable to the masses. The past couple of decades, the movement towards “green” vehicles. A leader in this area is Pininfarina-Bollore based in Turin Italy and they have unveiled and taken orders for their Pininfarina B0 (that’s Bee Zero) concept vehicle.
Special mention
Until 2008, Pininfarina was headed up and run by Andrea Pininfarina. Tragically, Ms. Pininfarina passed away in 2008 and the new model being engineered was named after her.
She is noted for having said:
“To think, draw, design and build cars is not only an enthralling mental process, nor is it simply a business choice. It is also above all, a great social responsibility.”
No on to the car….
A collaboration between two family held companies: car manufacturer Pininfarina and electrical controls experts Bollore. The concept of the B0 is to emit absolutely no exhaust and burn no fuel. It is a completely electrically operated “green” car.
The electrical system is a combination of batteries and what are called supercapacitors. The electrical components are made at Bollore’s facilities in Quimper France as well as Montreal Canada. Because of the unique location logistics, the cars componentry can be easily marketed in Europe as well as North America. There are also a set of solar panels atop the vehicle that help store extra energy within the powering system.
Usually the problem with electrical cars is the size and location of the battery or batteries. Pininfarina-Bollore solved this buy putting the batteries into a compartment under the vehicle, between the axles. The result is a convenient battery access point and a lowered center of gravity. This greatly improves the handling capabilities of the vehicle.
The B0 will seat four people comfortably and is styled as a four door hatchback with an excellent body design that resembles a small mini-van. This is one area (body design/aerodynamics) where Pininfarina has traditionally excelled.
The batteries will be chargeable at any standard domestic receptacle. That charge will keep the B0 running for about 150 miles with an electronically controlled top speed of 80mph which is exceptional for electric concept cars. If acceleration is a concern, put that to rest right now. The B0 will take you from 0 to around 35mph in approximately 6 seconds (6.3 actually). With a top speed of 80mph, that is roughly half of the potential. Outstanding for these types of vehicles.
About the battery and power system
The battery used in the B0 is manufactured by Bollore and was designed at a subsidiary called Batscap. A relatively new type of battery, the LMP (lithium polymer battery) can be charged completely in a few hours. Also, the LMP battery is entirely maintenance free and has an average lifespan of 125,000 miles.
Bollore has been a leading supplier of capacitor components for over 30 years. A reputation that speaks for itself. The LMP battery emits no exhaust whatsoever and is completely safe during operation.
In conjunction with the battery, the 2009 Pininfarina B0 concept car utilizes a network of supercapacitors that store energy during braking conditions and feed it back to the vehicle during acceleration. Solar panels located on the roof and part of the hood. The energy is used to power some of the concept car’s features, thus leaving more of the battery power for actually running the car itself. All green. All clean energy. Totally environmentally frien
Characteristics
Physically, the Pininfarina B0 concept car has:
• 300 liters of volume
• 300 Kilos of physical mass
• CAN bus communication ability
Electrically, the B0 offers:
• 30 Kwh rated power
• 410 volts (nominal)
• 45kW peak power output
• Battery voltage: Minimum 300 volts, maximum 435 volts
Thermally, you can expect”
• Internal temp of 60 to 80 degrees Celsius
• -20 degrees to +60 degrees Celsius
So if you are looking for a cart that treats the environment right, the 2009 Pininfarina B0 concept car may be the way to go. This is NOT a prototype, folks. They are taking orders now and the first models will roll off the assembly lines near the end of 2009. A final selling price has not been established as yet.
