The famed Italian car designer and engineering firm Pininfarina has revealed its self-branded electric car at the Paris Motor Show.
Pininfarina has designed some of the most stunning and well-known cars the automotive world has seen including the Ferrari Testarossa, Maserati Quattroporte and the Rolls-Royce Camargue. Its electric car has been built in conjunction with the battery maker Bollore. It will use lithium metal polymer batteries and will be able to run 200 kilometres on an eight hour charge and 25km after just five minutes.
Pablo Peninfarina, whose grandfather Battista first started the company in 1930, said the car on show is “90% similar to how it will be built.” The technology behind battery powered cars is now ready for mainstream use but cost will continue to be the stumbling block, he added.
The firm, who also make coaches, will bring the car to market in the US, Japan and Europe in 2010.