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.

Having already produced more than 5,500 electric vehicles, Citroën has the experience vital to being a frontrunner in a market segment that is set to grow significantly in the coming years.

Set for launch in last-quarter 2010, the C-ZERO, developed in collaboration with Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, is the brand’s second electric vehicle alongside Berlingo First Electric, developed with Venturi. In France, both these models qualify for the government bonus of 5,000 euros.

AN OFFERING CONSISTENT WITH CITROËN POLICY

Long committed to a policy of reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, Citroën, a leading environmental carmaker, is adding the C-ZERO to a range that already features a wealth of environmentally-respectful products.

Current Citroën achievements:

C3 and DS3 models emitting 99 g/km of CO2 will be available from launch

More than 30% of Citroën vehicles sold emit less than 120 g/km of CO2

Upcoming technologies:

Widespread application of second-generation Stop & Start system in 2010

Launch of a full-hybrid vehicle, the DS5, in 2011

100% ELECTRIC VEHICLE

The Citroën C-ZERO is a full-electric vehicle powered by a permanent magnet synchronous motor delivering 47 kW or 64 bhp EEC from 3,000 to 6,000 rpm. Maximum torque of 180 Nm is available from 2,000 rpm. Power is transmitted to the rear axle via a single-speed reduction gear.

The motor is powered by a latest-generation 330-volt lithium-ion battery system comprising 88 50-Ah cells (for onboard energy of 16 kWh) mounted in the centre of the vehicle.

Lithium-ion technology keeps battery weight down compared with conventional technology while offering equivalent performance. It is also resistant to partial charges, which have no incidence on battery longevity.

EASY TO CHARGE, EASY TO USE

Recharging the C-ZERO’s batteries is child’s play. Owners simply plug the supply cord into a 220-volt socket. A complete charge lasts six hours, while an 80% charge is possible in just 30 minutes using an external station with a single-phase current of 125 A at 400 V, for power of up to 50 kWh.

Using the car is equally simple. When the driver turns the ignition key a beep confirms that the car is running. Citroën C-ZERO drives like a regular car with an automatic gearbox.

The traditional fuel gauge is replaced by a battery charge indicator.

PERFORMANCE AND FEATURES FOR PRESENT-DAY NEEDS

Driving today is characterised, in the week, by short journeys of less than 40 km on average, with a full 70% of trips under 30 km.

The Citroën C-ZERO is perfectly adapted to the needs of all kinds of companies – including government, local authorities and company fleets – and also to those of private customers looking for a vehicle with exceptionally low running costs. With four real seats (thanks to a 2.55-m wheelbase) and a 166-litre boot, the C-ZERO is impressively quiet to drive and boasts a plethora of comfort and safety equipment. Original-fit features include power steering, ABS, TCS, ESP, power windows, six airbags, air conditioning and an autonomous telematics box for the emergency call system.

A CITY CAR AT EASE ON THE OPEN ROAD

The C-ZERO’s compact exterior dimensions, at 3.48 m long, and 9-m turning circle make it a cinch to nip in and out of city traffic. And with a top speed of 130 kph and acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 15 seconds and 60-90 km/h in six seconds, along with a range of around 130 km over a standard combined cycle, it is also fully at ease out on the open road. In France, 70% of daily car trips made in the week are under 30 km, for an overall average of 40 km.

Paris/Tokyo, September 4, 2009 Osamu Masuko, CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC), and Philippe Varin, CEO of PSA Peugeot Citroën, signed today in Paris a cooperative agreement that signifies a new step in their partnership on electric vehicles (EV).

The main points of this cooperative agreement are:

• The development of an EV for the European market based on MMC’s Japanese i-MiEV*1 model
• The vehicle is to be sold in Europe, with both Peugeot and Citroën versions
• Production is planned to commence in October 2010 for commercial launch in the European market by the end of 2010.

MMC first launched the new-generation EV i-MiEV in Japan in June, and will begin global sales of the right-hand drive vehicle this year. MMC has plans to expand rollout of the i-MiEV in left-hand drive markets in fiscal year 2010.

For PSA Peugeot Citroën this new EV will further enrich its range of low-emission vehicles; along with its hybrid diesel technology to be launched in 2011 on the Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 and Citroën DS5 HYbrid4, and a Plug-In HYbrid4 diesel in 2012, PSA Peugeot Citroën confirms its aim to be a step ahead in pioneering vehicles with low CO2 emissions.