2011 Peugeot VELV Electric Vehicles Concept

As a response to Opel’s recently launched RAK e Concept, Peugeot has unveiled the VELV Concept in Paris. The VELV concept delivers a total output of 26 HP and has autonomy of 62 miles. The concept is aimed at corporate fleets, traditional rental companies, and self-service schemes like Autolib’, second-car buyers and numerous customers who want a better option for getting around town.

Commissioned by the French Agency for Energy Management (ADEME) and the French Environment Agency, VELV gets its name from the French acronym Velva which stands for Vehicles Electrique Leger de Ville, which in translation means Light Electric City Vehicle.

Driven by a 20 kW electric motor, the gull winged 2011 Peugeot VELV Concept draws its power from an 8.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The gull-winged futuristic cousin of the TukTuks used across south-eastern Asia, 2011 Peugeot VELV Concept comes with distinct Peugeot styling including a massive front apron and a powerful grille. The lightweight construction of the 2011 Peugeot VELV Concept allows it to maintain a mere 650-pound kerb weight which maximizes its battery performance. What’s refreshing?

Delivering autonomy of 62 miles with a total output of 26 HP, the 2011 Peugeot VELV Concept achieves a top speed of 68 mph. The Peugeot-Citroen collaboration is mainly aimed at rental companies, inter-city taxi services, corporate shuttle services and self-service pay-as-you-go schemes.

Despite its diminutive dimensions, the VELV Concept can actually seat three people. The VELV’s electric propulsion system incorporates an 8.5kWh lithium-ion battery pack and a 20kW electric motor.

It follows a string of concepts unveiled at the recent 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, including the Audi Urban Concept, Volkswagen Nils, and the Opel RAK e.Peugeot has not revealed any intentions to turn the VELV Concept into as production reality.