Qbeak, the electric city vehicle being developed by Denmark-based ECOmove, has unveiled the third prototype of the car and says the vehicle is "very close" to its finished version. The current prototype is lighter than the previous versions, which mean's the Qbeak's single-charge range has been increased. ECOMove is now putting the call out to potential partnerships with automobile component makers and says the final version will be ready in 2014.
ECOmove, which started work on the first Qbeak prototype in 2009, received the 'European Electric Vehicles Early Stage Investment Opportunity Award' from UK-based Frost & Sullivan in March. The company said at the time that the Qbeak would include a number of models with single-charge ranges of anywhere from 125 miles to 190 miles. The previous prototype weighed about 900 pounds and was about 10 feet long, or about a foot longer than a Smart Fortwo.
For a long, ECOmove has been pitching the Qbeak's lightweight advancements, a body made out of aluminum and Kevlar composites, for example. Check out ECOmove's press release below.
ECOmove, which started work on the first Qbeak prototype in 2009, received the 'European Electric Vehicles Early Stage Investment Opportunity Award' from UK-based Frost & Sullivan in March. The company said at the time that the Qbeak would include a number of models with single-charge ranges of anywhere from 125 miles to 190 miles. The previous prototype weighed about 900 pounds and was about 10 feet long, or about a foot longer than a Smart Fortwo.
For a long, ECOmove has been pitching the Qbeak's lightweight advancements, a body made out of aluminum and Kevlar composites, for example. Check out ECOmove's press release below.
ECOmove powers up the third prototype of the electric vehicle QBEAK
The Danish company ECOmove is now ready with the third prototype of their electric vehicle QBEAK, thus taking a step closer towards the realisation of a lightweight concept for the EV industry. QBEAK III demonstrates a series of ground-breaking lightweight technologies, which, in addition to reducing the weight of the car, increases its range and makes it more affordable to drive an EV.
ECOmove took the first steps towards developing a lightweight electric vehicle in 2009. Now, QBEAK III is being introduced, and even though it is still a prototype, the car is very close to the end result.
- The new QBEAK is a much more finished version than number two. For example, the car now has charging structure and instrumentation, and its technologies are so far advanced that we are ready to mature them for production, says Mogens Løkke, CEO at ECOmove.
The developers at ECOmove have just conducted the first official test run of the QBEAK III for specially invited guests. This resulted in a great deal of positive feedback about the EV concept as well as the revolutionary lightweight technologies, which have been developed as part of the QBEAK.
ECOmove originally aimed at a launch of the EV in 2012. However, along the way, challenges appeared, which – along with the complexity of developing the most environmentally-, energy- and city-friendly car in the world without compromising the safety and design – have delayed the original time schedule.
- One of the major challenges has been long lead times, which has cost precious time. But we stuck to our concept and criteria for both the development and the quality. We are now very pleased to present an even more complete version of QBEAK, says Mogens Løkke.
Ready for partnerships
In order to ensure a successful market introduction, ECOmove has made a strategic decision to form partnerships with experienced players in manufacturing and supply chain management regarding mass production of the QBEAK. Currently, there are discussions in progress with foreign and domestic companies, who will be able to assemble and deliver cars for the major markets such as Europe, America and Asia, including China.
- By entering into partnerships with manufacturers who have well-established supplier networks, we are convinced that the first QBEAK will be ready to leave the factory in 2014, says Mogens Løkke.
Other e-car manufacturers have also shown interest in ECOmove's lightweight technologies, such as the composite suspension system, the sustainable bodywork, and the in-wheel motor unit. As a result, ECOmove is now actively entering partnerships to help others develop lighter, smarter and more sustainable cars. This business area is called 'ECOmove Engineering'.
ECOmove is owned by the management, Insero Horsens and Østjysk Innovation.
About Insero Horsens:
Insero Horsens is a Danish association that invests in enterprises, entrepreneurs and projects within innovation, energy and communication technology. Their goal is to expand and strengthen the area between Horsens, Hedensted, Vejle and Juelsminde. Insero Horsens has, among other things, been involved in gathering an electric car cluster in eastern Jutland. Read more at www.insero.dk
About Østjysk Innovation:
Østjysk Innovation invests in the development of good ideas conceived by enterprising researchers, students, employees in private enterprises etc. The goal is to create and develop several knowledgeable enterprises with unique competencies, which have the potential to become some of the most important growth enterprises of the future. Read more at www.oei.dk
The Danish company ECOmove is now ready with the third prototype of their electric vehicle QBEAK, thus taking a step closer towards the realisation of a lightweight concept for the EV industry. QBEAK III demonstrates a series of ground-breaking lightweight technologies, which, in addition to reducing the weight of the car, increases its range and makes it more affordable to drive an EV.
ECOmove took the first steps towards developing a lightweight electric vehicle in 2009. Now, QBEAK III is being introduced, and even though it is still a prototype, the car is very close to the end result.
- The new QBEAK is a much more finished version than number two. For example, the car now has charging structure and instrumentation, and its technologies are so far advanced that we are ready to mature them for production, says Mogens Løkke, CEO at ECOmove.
The developers at ECOmove have just conducted the first official test run of the QBEAK III for specially invited guests. This resulted in a great deal of positive feedback about the EV concept as well as the revolutionary lightweight technologies, which have been developed as part of the QBEAK.
ECOmove originally aimed at a launch of the EV in 2012. However, along the way, challenges appeared, which – along with the complexity of developing the most environmentally-, energy- and city-friendly car in the world without compromising the safety and design – have delayed the original time schedule.
- One of the major challenges has been long lead times, which has cost precious time. But we stuck to our concept and criteria for both the development and the quality. We are now very pleased to present an even more complete version of QBEAK, says Mogens Løkke.
Ready for partnerships
In order to ensure a successful market introduction, ECOmove has made a strategic decision to form partnerships with experienced players in manufacturing and supply chain management regarding mass production of the QBEAK. Currently, there are discussions in progress with foreign and domestic companies, who will be able to assemble and deliver cars for the major markets such as Europe, America and Asia, including China.
- By entering into partnerships with manufacturers who have well-established supplier networks, we are convinced that the first QBEAK will be ready to leave the factory in 2014, says Mogens Løkke.
Other e-car manufacturers have also shown interest in ECOmove's lightweight technologies, such as the composite suspension system, the sustainable bodywork, and the in-wheel motor unit. As a result, ECOmove is now actively entering partnerships to help others develop lighter, smarter and more sustainable cars. This business area is called 'ECOmove Engineering'.
ECOmove is owned by the management, Insero Horsens and Østjysk Innovation.
About Insero Horsens:
Insero Horsens is a Danish association that invests in enterprises, entrepreneurs and projects within innovation, energy and communication technology. Their goal is to expand and strengthen the area between Horsens, Hedensted, Vejle and Juelsminde. Insero Horsens has, among other things, been involved in gathering an electric car cluster in eastern Jutland. Read more at www.insero.dk
About Østjysk Innovation:
Østjysk Innovation invests in the development of good ideas conceived by enterprising researchers, students, employees in private enterprises etc. The goal is to create and develop several knowledgeable enterprises with unique competencies, which have the potential to become some of the most important growth enterprises of the future. Read more at www.oei.dk
Featured Gallery QBeak's third electric prototype EV
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