British Plug-In Hybrid Unveiled

Axon Automotive, a newly-established British car and suv company that aims at manufacturing Europe’s most fuel efficient vehicles(suvs and cars), has unveiled its first stab at a plug-in hybrid, the Axon hatchback. Previewed at the Milton Keynes Science Festival in the UK, the Axon employs revolutionary manufacturing techniques and an innovative concept to achieve a light and affordable multipurpose 2-seater vehicles and suvs.

“By designing light cars and giving them good aerodynamics you can radically lower vehicle emissions,” said Axon’s Managing Director, Steve Cousins. “As a plug-in hybrid we have no limitation on range but we can maximize the benefits of electrics day to day without the cost and weight of large batteries.” he added.

The shape of the hybrid suv has been designed for low aerodynamic drag and resembles Honda’s original Insight hybrid coupé. Two versions of the lightweight city car are planned, the first using a small-bore gasoline-fed engine that’s purported to deliver 83.3 mpg U.S. (100 mpg or 2.8 l/km in the UK). A second version pairs an electric motor that’s capable of powering the car without a drop of fuel for city use with a small gasoline engine that theoretically provides the hybrid unlimited range for longer trips.

The first Axon PHEV units are set to go on sale in 2011, with production planned to start in 2012 in small factories in the UK and in Europe including Spain, France, Ireland, Denmark and Holland.

The Axon hybrid suv vehicle was designed to accommodate two adults and a great volume of luggage. By reducing kerbside weight in the hybrid with specially manufactured carbon fibre technology and taking away the need for a bulky battery by way of plug-in technology, the Axon is significantly lighter than competing models, while a suitably aerodynamic body helps at lowering emissions and maximising fuel efficiency of the hybrid suv car.

Furthermore, the hybrid vehicle also has seating made from recycled fabrics like jeans and recycled pinstriped suits and door panels are made from recycled carbon fiber to complete the company’s approach in environmentally friendly design. The new PHEV suv not only makes use of carbon fiber technology similar to those of racing cars but also combines full electric mode with petrol or bioethanol powered engine for local or long distance travel respectively.

“We have had our greenhouse gas emissions calculated to include typical UK power station emissions when driving in electric mode. The result gives us just under 50g/CO2 per km for the mix of electric and petrol used in the Government test. This is just half the level needed for free annual road tax in UK for this car,” Cousins concluded.