Peugeot's electric dream

BB1 concept might make production, says the French manufacturer.

By Andrew EnglishPublished: 4:00PM BST 16 Oct 2009

A decision on production of the BB1 is expected within four months

Carbon-fibre construction makes the BB1 light but costly to produce
Peugeot may put its extraordinary little electric concept car, the BB1, into production.
The 8ft 2in four-seater has a lithium-ion battery-powered driveline with two 20bhp in-wheel electric motors. Instead of a steering wheel, it has handlebars and passengers sit on bicycle-style saddles.

"We will make a decision in three to four months," says Jean-Marc Gales, Peugeot's director general. "It depends on price. The BB1 weighs about 650kg (1,432lb), and we need to keep the mass under control. If we do that, we will keep costs under control."
With its carbon-fibre bodywork, the BB1 will not be cheap, but Gales says it should sell for less than 12,000 euros (£11,140). With such a lightweight construction, Peugeot claims its range will be about 75 miles.
It might also mean the vehicle could be homologated under the quadricycle rules, which will mean cheaper tax and insurance.