The design, modelling, fabrication and characterization of a nonlinear bistable electromagnetic vibrational energy harvesting device are presented in this work. In order to keep the device dimensions relatively small while aiming for low operational frequency, a folded cantilever structure is realized using low Young's modulus FR4 material. A pair of repulsively oriented NdFeB permanent magnets is used to introduce bistability into the system. An analytical model of the device was developed and numerically simulated and validated with experimental results. At an acceleration of 0.5g (35 Hz frequency) the device generated peak power of mu W across an optimum resistive load of 1 K Omega. The operational frequency range of the nonlinear bistable device was increased by up to 5 Hz (15% of the peak power frequency) at 0.5g acceleration with respect to the linear counterpart. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.