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Europe Gets the "Blue" Car Electric Solar Car

Posted by Jonathan

Demonstrating true innovation and a passion for sustainability that's unfortunately not mirrored by their American counterparts, European car makers Pininfarina and Bollore have created a hybrid vehicle that truly embodies environmental friendliness, from wipers to its non-existent tailpipe.

The brainchild of Italian and French engineers, the B0 (B Zero) or Bluecar, is built around its LMP battery, which in turn is based on Lithium Metal Polymer technology.

Produced at BatScap, a subsidiary that was set up specifically for that purpose, the LMP battery provides a number of advantages: it can store five times more energy than a traditional battery weight for weight and can be recharged in a matter of hours. Its "solid-state" technology makes it safer too and its lifespan should outlast that of the car that it powers.

The creators also suggest that because it is powered by electricity, and therefore produces less C02 pollution, the LMP battery is a more ethical choice (and more readily available than the elusive lithium or hydrogen-powered alternatives). And, as renewable energy sources like solar and wind become more incorporated into major grid structures, the carbon footprint usually associated with the production of electricity it runs on will be reduced as well.

Although the battery is impressive, one must look up (and in) for the features that make this car truly green-ique.

The designers left no detail of the Bluecar un-sustainable, including leather-like seat covers produced from vegetable sources and actual solar panels on the hood and roof. These panels contribute towards powering the car's electrical equipment as well as its heating and air-conditioning system.

Critics of the car point out that while the solar panels are a cool addition to the car, they also mean it will be more expensive, and the last thing we need is to put truly sustainable transportation technology out of the reach of more people. It is also mentioned that solar panels on a car will be subject to many limitations, parking in garages, cloudy weather, etc. that are less applicable for traditional fixed panels.

Videos (in French)

Source: GenGreenLife

French aesthetic sensibilities regarding cars are quite different from those in the US - just look at the old Renault Twingo, the Megane, the Citroen DS and the C6 or any of the modern Peugeots.

The primary point of this particular prototype design was to be instantly identifiable with Bollore's lithium-metal-polymer battery technology. For that company, cars are not a passion but rather, just another target market.

Btw, it's quite normal in Europe for new developments tend come from the supply chain rather than the car makers themselves. In Germany, companies like Bosch, ZF Sachs, Continental and Siemens VDO are the ones pushing the envelope on the electrification of the car. Valeo is a major French player and Bollore would dearly like to join the list.