De tot elektrische auto omgebouwde Citroën C1, de Britse ev'ie, krijgt een sterker accupakket aangemeten door de firma Axeon.

Opvolgen:

Axeon buigt zich over een verbeterde accu voor de Electric Car Corporation, de ombouwer van de C1. Nu haalt de ev'ie een topsnelheid van 96 km/uur en kan hij ongeveer 100 km rijden op een volgeladen accupakket. In hoeverre de prestaties verbeterd worden moet nog blijken, maar de pre-productieversie van de nieuwe accu belooft een energiedichtheid van 230 Wh per kilogram. Axeon wil 300 tot 500 accu’s bouwen als de testexemplaren naar behoren functioneren. Het assortiment lithiumion-accu’s van Axeon varieert van 5 kWh tot 180 kWh.

Axeon is de grootste zelfstandige lithiumion-accufabrikant van Europa en heeft accu’s geleverd aan onder andere Modec en het eRuf-project.

PRESS RELEASE

AXEON TO POWER EXTENDED RANGE ELECTRIC CITROËN C1 EV'IE

Axeon, Europe's largest independent lithium-ion battery systems supplier, is to develop a new high capacity battery for the electric Citroën C1 ev'ie, manufactured by the UK-based Electric Car Corporation, with a view to supplying between 300 and 500 batteries in the 12 months following a successful trial.

Axeon, based in Dundee, is Europe's leading designer, developer and manufacturer of customised advanced lithium-ion battery packs and charging systems for a wide range of automotive and other applications, with its core business in developing and supplying such systems for use in electric and hybrid electric vehicles.

Axeon will provide a pre-production battery pack that combines an advanced battery with an energy density of 230Wh/kg and innovative mechanical design, meaning not only improved battery efficiency, but also improved performance and extended range in a smaller, lighter and less rigid package.

Key to the package will be Axeon's proprietary battery management system (BMS), which plays an essential role in any multiple cell battery pack. It monitors the state of a battery, measuring and controlling key performance parameters, which ensures the battery operates safely and prolongs its useful life.

Lawrence Berns, CEO of Axeon, said: "We are delighted to be working with the Electric Car Corporation. This agreement is an endorsement of our technology development plans, further underlining our capabilities in the battery sector and our dominant position in the market, allowing us to capitalize on opportunities and continue to grow the company."

David Martell, Chief Executive of the Electric Car Corporation commented: "ECC is committed to stimulating the use of electric vehicles across the UK and we aim to supply our customers with high quality, comfortable, safe and reliable vehicles. We are excited to see how the new Axeon battery performs and believe it will help improve the already class-leading C1 ev'ie."

The existing Citroën C1 ev'ie has a range of more than 60 miles and a top speed of 60mph. It has been described by Car magazine as "the electric car class leader" and by Autocar as "the first 'respectable' electric city car on the British market".

About Axeon

Axeon is Europe's foremost producer of Li-ion battery packs and systems for electric vehicles (EVs) and is currently the UK's market leader in large commercial vehicle battery technology. Axeon's automotive battery and charger systems are designed and manufactured to exacting automotive standards, drawing on many years of battery experience. Currently Axeon's EV batteries have a range of up to 140 miles from a single charge and with stored capacity ranging from 5 kWh to 180 kWh.

Axeon's Battery Management System is a market-leading technology for managing lithium-ion batteries, delivering safe, durable performance.

Axeon also designs and manufactures batteries and battery management systems for power tools, enabling new cordless tools that deliver more power with less weight; and mobile power, delivering energy for innovative new products.

Axeon is fully owned by AG Holding Ltd, which is backed by funds managed by Ironshield Capital Management LLP.