2009 production date for Pininfarina B0 EV

Pininfarina first announced plans to design and build its own electric vehicle when it debuted the striking Sintesi fuel-cell concept vehicle at the Geneva Motor Show. The Italian design firm and coachbuilder was to partner with France’s Bolloré Group to source the advanced lithium-ion battery technology that would power the car and was planning to have the car on the market by the end of the decade.

Today, at the Paris Motor show, Pininfarina, together with Bolloré, has unveiled its new electric vehicle, which is confirmed to start production at the end of next year in Turin, Italy.

The car is called the B0 (B-zero) and it is powered by Bolloré’s proprietary lithium-ion metal polymer (LMP) battery technology. The B0 is a fully-electric vehicle without any carbon dioxide production. Its batteries are housed in a compartment specially designed for that purpose and located under the car, between its axles, lowering its centre of gravity for improved handling.

Its LMP battery, which will be rechargeable in a matter of hours from a standard domestic main socket, will provide it with a range of 250km (153miles). The B0 will have a top speed that is electronically limited to 130km/h (80mph) and will be able to accelerate from 0-60km/h (37mph) in about 6.3 seconds.

Its Pininfarina-styled body features a five-door hatchback design with space for four adults and solar panels mounted on the roof and grille to help top up the batteries.