Bee Automobiles Ltd (Bee) the new British manufacturer of electric vehicles, lithium-ion battery packs and automotive software, will be at LCV 2009, the Low Carbon Vehicle event at Millbrook, UK, on 9/10 September.
Bee plan to manufacture their electric vehicles and battery packs for introduction in 2011. As well as a 4/6 seat, five-door family car (A/B segment), there would also be a lightweight commercial van (LCV) using the same chassis. The Bee One car is positioned as a second car for a family and would compare in size and price to an Opel/Vauxhall Corsa or Ford Fiesta.
At launch, the Bee One will have a range of 100 miles (160km) on a single charge, with a top speed of 80 mph (128 kph). Charging will take up to seven hours for a full charge from a standard domestic plug socket (230volt, 13amp). This is best performed overnight, but the batteries can be fast-charged in minutes if high-power output sockets are available.
The Bee lithium-ion battery technology is world-leading, offering the lowest cost, highest-energy density, safest and best recyclability in its class. The lithium-ion cells are built into standard sized Battery Packs. These packs can be changed or upgraded as lithium-ion cell technology improves.
Bee will also invest in future battery technology, aiming by 2015 to extend the range and speed of the Bee One to 200 miles (320km) and 100 mph (160 kph).
When the Battery Packs are upgraded, the software in the vehicles must also be upgraded. Bee is working on software for vehicle on-board telemetry and an automotive software platform to provide direct sales (without dealers), after-sales and customer servicing.
Stephen Voller, Founder and Chairman of Bee Automobiles, who was recently featured on BBC's Dragon Den said: "We are looking forward to participating in LCV 2009 and compliment CENEX on organising the event to promote this important new sector. With so much turmoil in the automotive sector in recent times, it is important that developments in new low carbon vehicle technologies are promoted effectively."
About Bee
Apart from their appearance on BBC Dragons Den, Bee Automobiles are probably best known for reviving the famous BRM marque in the BRM Bee Four ERV (electric racing vehicle), which - at 1400 bhp per tonne - would be one of the fastest cars ever built.
BRM (British Racing Motors) is a previous winner of the British Speed Hill Climb championship, the Formula 1 World Drivers and Constructors Championships and a total of 17 F1 Grands Prix, with Graham Hill and Sir Jackie Stewart among their winning drivers. In fact, BRM were the last all-British winners of both the F1 drivers and constructors championships in the same year - Brawn take note!
Bee has developed significant knowhow and intellectual property (IP) in this exciting, high-growth area and attracted an impressive management team from the highest echelons of the UK Automotive and Battery sectors.
The Bee One electric car is due in 2011.
For further details please contact:
Stephen Voller (Chairman)
Email: stephen.voller@beeautomobiles.com. See him on BBC Dragons Den at http://www.bbc.co.uk/dragonsden/entrepreneurs/stephenvoller.shtml.
