Axeon To Power Extended Range Electric Citroen C1 Ev'ie

PARIS – February 3, 2010: 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”.