Mini Electric Cars:
The B-Zero By Pininfarina

While these mini electric cars looks futuristic, this is an actual factory produced vehicle ready for mass production. This beaut, compact and very efficient vehicle will begin rolling off the production lines later in 2009.

At the moment this car will only be available in Europe, but hopefully demand for the vehicle will be so high that it will be worthwhile for Pininfarina and Bollore, the companies that make it, to export it overseas.

Unlike the Toyota Prius, the solar panel on the roof actually recharges the battery while the car sits in the sun. This is not much use while the car's in covered areas, but it's a great way to prevent a totally flat battery.

Performance

The car has a zero to 60 kmph acceleration of 6.3 seconds. That's virtually standing still compared to the Tesla Roadster, but the price will no doubt match the acceleration of this vehicle. Mind you, the B-Zero's acceleration is still heaps better than that of my clapped out little 1986 Suzuki Swift.

This mini electric car's top speed is limited to 80 miles per hour, which is 130 kmph. There is no information available about how long the car takes to reach that speed.

The Battery

It has a range of approximately 150 miles and recharges within a few hours. It can be recharged from a regular power socket. While other electric and hybrid car batteries last only a fraction of the functional life of the vehicle, the LMP battery in the B-Zero is expected to last for at least 125,000 miles. This is great news for consumers both in terms of cost and environmental impact.

The battery achieves this through the use of capacitors as well as the standard battery cells. These capacitors are able to discharge more rapidly which allows for greater acceleration, a point that has often been a weak spot in electric vehicles. Weighing in at 300 kg, the battery is still one of the heaviest components of this car.

The battery recharges in three and a half hours from a standard socket, but in just two hours with the rapid charge stations that the companies will set up as the vehicles are released. The battery can also get a quick 5 minute charge that will provide enough juice for 25 kilometers of travel.

More Energy And Cost Efficiency

Not only are the solar panels connected to the new, lightweight battery, there are other energy efficient features too. The car is fitted with regenerative braking. This turns the motion of the car into electrical charge through braking and then returns this to the battery pack. This is a standard feature of modern electric cars.

The cabin is no-nonsense, and the manufacturers have kept the cost of the car down by avoiding unnecessary gadgetry in the cabin.

Environmental Credentials

Aside from the electric operation of the mini electric car and its small size, the manufacturers have gone to great lengths to make sure that the components of the vehicle are also environmentally friendly. The company website say that "The BLUECAR is a responsible and accountable choice. It is environmentally sound down to its most minute details, with fittings made out of materials that meet sustainable development criteria, such as leather-like seat covers produced from vegetable sources, and other natural products that respect the environment."

This sounds good, but at this stage there's no more information available and we'll have to take them on their word.