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Pininfarina unveils Nido EV prototype for modular EV platform

Italian design house Pininfarina unveiled its Nido EV prototype today as the starting point for a new modular platform for electric and hybrid vehicles. The Nido EV is an update of the design of the 2004 Nido city car concept with proportions very similar to that of the Smart ForTwo. The Nido platform has been developed entirely in-house at Pininfarina's Style and Engineering Centre of Cambiano with the intent of being able to affordably produce different bodystyles, including both two- and four-seat cars, as well as pickup and van models. Although the prototype uses a steel tube frame chassis, production versions will apparently migrate to a lighter aluminum space frame.

This particular Nido uses a 30 kilowatt permanent magnet electric motor driving the rear wheels, while future variants may include a small engine at the front for a hybrid configuration, or a front mounted electric motor. Unlike pretty much every other EV currently under development, Pininfarina has elected to use a nickel-salt Zebra battery that has good energy density but high operating temperatures. Despite the 21.2 kilowatt-hour capacity, the battery weighs only 400 pounds. Zebra batteries are also fully recyclable and contain no toxic materials (assuming you discount the issues with mining nickel). The Nido is claimed to have a range of 87 miles and 0-60 mph time of 6.7 seconds.

No production timetable has been given for the Nido, so Pininfarina is likely looking for a partner or someone to license the design to.