If you’ve been walking the streets of London recently, you might have seen more and more silver Toyotas tucked in amongst the ranks of parked motors. It's pleasing to see the Prius hybrid, along with other dual and fully-electric cars, infiltrate the transport norms of urban and sub-urban society.  But while the hawk-eyed may have seen these slowly multiplying series-parallel hybrids, they might not have heard them.

For the electric motors used in these cars are notoriously silent; stealthy, in fact. Indeed it is often touted in associated marketing as a good reason to buy one- less noise pollution for your street when starting the car at 6am, lighter on your eardrums, etc.

But just as speedy cyclists can slice into oblivious pedestrians who cross the road without looking, hybrid and electric cars can be a danger. Cyclists at least have the option of a bell; these cars, at present, have nothing. The silence of electric and hybrid cars has in this way been called into question.

Hybrid cars, running on their electric motors when travelling at low speeds, generally don’t make use of their louder internal combustion engines until a higher speed has been reached (this engine is what charges the internal battery).

The United States Congress is already considering legislation that would require an audible warning being built into electric cars to alert pedestrians of their approach. The English Ministry of Transport is also addressing the issue, drawing up a report to be published by the end of the year. The issue of blind persons, who often use their ears to listen out for approaching traffic before crossing a road, is one of the key concerns. The car manufacturing industry, however, is split on how to approach the issue; Nissan, for example, have been developing a range of sounds that could be added to the vehicle (including a ‘chime’, a melody, and a ‘whir’), whilst other engineers are reluctant to spoil the accumulated development of specialised engineering, decades in the making, which has finally seen the results of their ideal made manifest: a silent and smooth car engine.

One possible solution is the inclusion of a sound-emitting device, stimulated ‘on demand’- a built-in noise-maker that emits a personalised sound (perhaps even one recorded by the driver) when a button is pressed: thus allowing drivers to alert oblivious pedestrians if necessary but without creating an uncontrollable, unstoppable noise for the car that might counteract the benefits of a quieter engine.
A ringtone for your car? Let’s hope that instead we’ll be hearing simulated warp-speed and the soft bleeps, hums and clicks of docking spaceships.

Posted under Cars & Transport, Environmental News, Product Innovations, Uncategorized

A leader in the electric commercial vehicle industry since 1920, Smith Electric Vehicles has been influencing and inspiring zero emission logistics for over eighty years. Their evolution of battery and motor technology has taken their fleet down highways, by-ways and roads unadopted to find any destination - and all without tailpipe pollution! That's right, Smith vehicles are completely zero emission - no CO2, no nitrogen oxide, no carbon monoxide - just innovative, sustainable production.

To begin a list some of Smith Electric Vehicles customers is already to mark them out as an established, successful firm, recogniseable across the globe. DHL, TNT, Sainsbury's, BSkyB, Continental Landscapes, and the Royal Mail comprise just a small selection of national and international customers using Smith's low maintenance and cost effective models.

Compared to a traditional combustion engine, which is, on average, made up of 1000 inter-locking parts, the Smith Electric Vehicle utilises only four moving parts. Not only does this mean that an electric engine is much less likely to breakdown, but it also means that the vehicle's up-keep is more cost effective and the longevity of the engine is far greater.
As well as cost and maintenance benefits, the vehicles can be charged over night (8 hours for a full tank) using a standard UK power source. They are also compatible with on-board chargers to allow for top ups when the vehicles are in constant use; and with the Smith engineers working on reducing recharge times, there seems to be nothing stopping their progress and full intergration.

These are, in fact, some of the more obvious benefits for using electric. But there some industry benefits which you may not be aware:

Environmental Policy has become a dominating factor when attempting to secure new and existing business. A growing number of suppliers are being asked to produce a 'supply tender' (a detailed layout of what is needed to be used, and why) which has become increasingly common practise in many industry sectors. By exhibiting a forthright policy and practise for reducing carbon consumption, businesses have found that they can gain the edge of other leading competitors.

And with a vehicle range to suit both urban and long distance usage Smith Electric Vehicles are providing the solution to help your business get ahead. For instance, the Smith Edison model is designed for a depot-based fleet; an urban application to get the best results from multi drops, congested roads, low mileage and intra-city use. Whereas the Smith Newton is available with an Aerodynamic Body, includes 4 batteries and has a 3.9 wheel base for longer transit jobs.

The facts are simple and plain to see because the benefits of electric motoring has nothing to hide. Smith Electric Vehicles are one the world's largest manufacturers of electric vehicles, and have established a growing reputation for undeniable results and inspiring design. Their engineers have developed and refined models for over 80 years, and you can be sure that they'll keep on delivering remarkable results for another term to come.

For further information regarding the Smith Electric Vehicle fleet range and how to turn your business to the electric alternative, please visit their website www.smithelectricvehicles.com for details.

Posted under Articles, Cars & Transport

Held at City Hall in London on the 8th June, the LowCVP climate change event contained 200 delegates and several famous and influential keynote speakers. In this, the sixth annual conference for carbon neutrality, a wide range of topics were discussed, including 'Greening the Fleet Sector: Environmental optimisation in crisis time', 'Reframing Climate Change: How recent emission trends & the latest science change the debate', and 'Low Carbon Future Fuels – Delivering on the Fuels Quality Directive'.

With an interesting combination of speculation, analysis and practical reportage, the LowCVP annual conference proved to be an exciting and stimulating conference for all involved.

What the LowCVP Symbolises

As the organisers of the annual conference,  LowCVP  aims to doubly raise awareness of carbon emissions issues and to lobby for greater carbon neutrality in the vehicle industry. There website, in summarising their position, illuminates the aims of the LowCVP annual conference:

"The Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership is an action and advisory group, established in 2003 to take a lead in accelerating the shift to low carbon vehicles and fuels in the UK and to help ensure that UK business can benefit from that shift. The LCVP is a partnership of over 300 organisations from the automotive and fuel industries, the environmental sector, government, academia, road user groups and other organisations with a stake in the low carbon vehicles and fuels agenda".

As an organisation, it has very definite aims, again expressed through the discussions and speakers at their annual conference. The organisation aims to:

Develop initiatives to promote sales and supply of low carbon vehicles and fuels

Provide input and advice on Government policy

Provide a forum for stakeholders to share knowledge and information

Ensure that UK motor, fuel and related businesses are best placed to capitalise on the opportunities in the low carbon markets of the future

Contribute to the achievement of UK Government targets for road transport carbon reduction

The LowCVP Annual Conference for 2009

Like previous years, the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership event for 2009 took these aims and goals and expanded them throughout several seminars and discussions. With this year's event held in partnership with the What Car? Green Awards, it was a real eye opener for both experienced car buffs and casual viewers alike; with discussions lead by industry leaders and awards coming from the popular and reputed What Car?, attendees also got a glimpse of the cars of the future, with several low emissions vehicles on display throughout the day.

Further to key discussions from industry leaders, too, the event brought in the Boris Johnson, Geoff Hoon, and Chief executive of The Eden Project, Tim Smit.

Building on the success of the LowCVP conference of 2008, the sixth annual conference was a real hit. Both speakers and attendees will certainly look forward to next year's event, when - with a sound combination of  expert and beginners activities, filtered through core, ethical aims - it seems that all around, we might see an even more successful event.

For more information on the LowCVP annual conference, and the organisation's continuing work, please visit theLowCVP Carbon Neutral Vehicle Partnership website

List of Speakers from the LowCVP Sixth Annual Conference

Rt Hon Geoff Hoon MP, Secretary of State for Transport
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London
Tim Smit, Chief Executive, The Eden Project
Dr Kevin Anderson, The Tyndall Centre
Steve Fowler, Group Editor, 'What Car'
Charles Stonehill, Chief Finance Officer, Better Place
Wade Crowfoot, Director of Climate Protection Initiatives, Mayoralty of San Francisco
Ed Crooks, Energy Editor, The Financial Times
Neville Jackson, Ricardo and Chair, LowCVP
Neil Bentley, Director, Business Environment, CBI
David Ward, Director General, FIA Foundation
Paul Everitt, Chief Executive, SMMT
Tim Abbott, Managing Director, BMW (UK) Ltd
Joe Greenwell, Chairman, Ford of Britain
Doug Parr, Chief Scientist, Greenpeace
Paul Nieuwenhuis, Cardiff Business School
Aat Peterse, Transport & Environment
Hugo Spowers, Chief Executive, River Simple
Stephen Stacey, Toyota
Darran Messem, Shell

Posted under Articles, Cars & Transport

There is a horrible saying that goes with working in a city and owning a car; Drive to Work, Work to Drive. Unfortunately, this little axiom has a rather grim underbelly. When you consider the statistics - it costs the average car owner over £4000 a year; and in terms of time, that equates to 3 months of work, just to own and run a car! - it becomes increasingly clear why so many are finding alternatives. But look no further:

Bikes are a fantastic place to start. Do away with polluting the Earth and wasting your time, and bring out your bike before setting off to work. If you need more convincing than what you can save in terms of your personal life, then put this in your mind's eye: for every gallon of petrol used in your car, 20.4 lbs of CO2 emissions will be released into the environment. Still hard to see a clear reason? Well, in the case of sustainable energy use, bicycles are 2/3 more efficient than cars - even if you factor in the energy to produce the extra food the cyclist requires.

There are literally hundreds of essays and articles all brimming with facts on Why we should be taking to the streets on two wheels instead of four, but for those still stuck between the two, who like the idea of the bike ride to work or play, but with a little less pedaling; here at EcoSwitch we have found the perfect solution - and they call it ECO-PED.

The Bike

The ECO-PED is an electric bicycle company which assembles electric motor kits (lithium ion battery) onto lightweight frames, available for sale throughout the UK and online in stores. ECO-PED pride themselves on their reliability and accessible practicability for any customer type, and it shows! The electric bicycle company mount their ECO-PED kits onto a range of user friendly and comfortable bikes, making them a sure thing for those who are still a little unsure. Prices range roughly from £600 to £899. And the kit itself is available to buy if you fancy yourself as a bit of a D.I.Y expert, retailing at £499 inc. VAT.
However, if you already own a bike and was wondering whether or not you'd be able to use an ECO-PED kit to power your favourite two wheels, then take the cycle down to your local dealer and they'll be able to advise if this is possible - most bikes are fine, and for around £90 service charge you could even have it fitted then and there.

The Benefits

Compact and lightweight, the ECO-PED box is fitted on to the lower seat-stem or inner side of your bike frame, and serves as a perfect sign for the gadget's efficient and sustainable intent. The range in distance from a fully charged battery is approximately 25 miles travelled (dependant and gradients and weight involved in journey) and is recharged to full power in 4 to 6 hours. Maximum speed from an ECO-PED power kit is around 15mph. And when you consider the average urban bus speed is about 12mph, then this really is a great Eco-solution.
Other specifications include ignition keys for added security; handle bar dials which signal Full, Half and Empty, so you know when to recharge the battery; and a thumb throttle to allow you to feed in the power without pedaling once you are on the move, coasting past all that unnecessary traffic.

ECO-PED bike kits and bicycles are another great way that shows how innovative and intelligent technology is being used to make every day a little greener - as well as a little healthier now too!

Posted under Articles, Cars & Transport, Eco Reviews, Lifestyle & Fashion

This Monday 8 June, all Green Cars participating in the Revolve Eco-Rally ’09 Brighton to London race, will set off from Brighton's coastal strip, Madeira Drive (BN2 1PS) at 10am. TV Presenter, Quentin Willson, will officially launch the rally at 08:00am with a pit-stop at Sainsbury's flagship eco store in Greenwich, from 11:30. The rally will be joined at this point by more eco cars for the final route to the journey’s end at City Hall, London. Full details of the Brighton to London route can be viewed at the Revolve Eco-Rally website.

The event is billed to be much bigger than last year with many of the latest high-spec, high-tech, and low to zero carbon vehicles being invited to put their ‘green’ cars where their mouth is. And they will have every opportunity to do this as the best green cars from the world's leading brands travel the 50 mile trip from Brighton to London City Hall (SE1 2AA).

Which green cars are racing or on display at the final destination, City Hall?

Some participants include:

• The Tesla Roadster (often referred to as "the world's first serious electric car")
• Lotus most powerful and environmentally-friendly Exige ever built
• Nissan's fifth-generation fuel cell prototype
• Bi-fuel hydrogen ICE car - from Europe’s largest electrolyser and fuel cell company
• The first four-seater electric cars available in Britain - including the Mitsubishi iMIEV
• The BMW 116d - a new greener version of the 2008 World Green Car winner.
• The Fiat 500 Auto Stop & Go - the 2009 winner of the World Car Design award.
• The most affordable hybrid family car yet.
• The UK's first electric taxi (Allied Vehicles).
• A municipal rubbish truck that "runs on rubbish" (Gasrec's biomethane-powered truck)
• Six of the top 10 finalists in the 2009 World Green Car awards.
• The winning car from the What Car? Green Awards

What are the cars powered by? They are only as green as the fuel put in them!

The cars will be fuelled in a number of green ways, including hydrogen, bio-methanol/ethanol and renewable electricity courtesy of Southern Electric, all showing the versatility of the different, environmentally-friendly fuels.  Whereas the event was more of a race in preceding years, this year the event is more of a way for the auto industry and energy suppliers to show how practical the vehicles are to drive on a day to day basis. The objective? To inspire people to rethink their transport needs.  It is also an opportunity to show everyone how they can cut their own car's carbon emissions, without it costing the earth.

Who are the Drivers?

The line up for the event is impressive with numerous celebrity drivers also scheduled to participate. Some of these include:

• Zac Goldsmith
• Quentin Willson
• Robert Llewellyn
• Sean Hughes
• Paul Zenon
• Barron Bassam of Brighton (House of Lords Chief Whip - Steve Bassam)
• Jenny Jones AM (Green party)
• Oliver Heath
• Penny Poyzer
• John Surtees
• Lucy Siegle
• Carl Honore
• Tracey Smith
• Iwan Tukalo (ex-international rugby player)

The Mayor of London will be on hand to welcome the end of the race. As a strong advocate of green issues he has said his aim is to cut carbon emissions in London by 60 per cent by 2025 and June the 8th marks London’s Green Car Day.  The Mayor commented:

“The Revolve Eco-Rally is a great way to promote the use of less polluting, low carbon transport which I am also championing in the capital. So I am delighted that for the first time, the 2009 Eco-Rally will draw to a triumphant close right outside London’s City Hall”.

City Hall is central to the day’s events; it will host the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LCVP) Conference, welcome the Revolve Eco-Rally and, later in the day, the Mayor's chamber will be the venue for the What Car? Green Car Awards.

The group of enviro-motorists behind Revolve Eco-Rally has said they’ve done everything possible to make 2009's Eco-Rally high profile and one to remember. As an independent organization, Revolve is actively encouraging and promoting sustainable forms of transport, including new fuels and technologies, through this type of high-profile event.

Your support is needed

All these innovations that are coming to join the Revolve Eco-Rally this year have one thing in common: the finishing line. The power behind these people to finish is simply more people like you and I; so log onto their site, make space in your diary, or simply by turning up to cheer, you can do your bit to help support Britain’s quest for a sustainable future.

EcoSwitch will be attending the race, sending along Chief Executive William Worthington and correspondent Trisha Gukhool. To read more about the event, read the Revolve Eco-Rally Website.

Posted under Articles, Cars & Transport, Environmental News

With carbon emissions from cars rising more quickly than ever, many people are looking to reduce their own carbon footprint with green friendly transport. There are a number of eco-friendly cars on the market, ranging from superminis to estates. As a general rule, the smaller the car, the more environmentally friendly the engine.

The New Ford Fiesta Supermini - Marrying Green Cars with the Environment

Producing just 98g of CO2 per kilometre, the Ford Fiesta is one of the greenest in mainstream cars, and from May 2009, it will be awarded a VED of 'A' for its efforts.  Fiestas have always been popular, affordable cars, and the newest model has taken on board a number of features that have allowed for a sound degree of environmental friendliness.

Ford is particularly proud of the new model, stating that,

"The new Fiesta is a vivid expression of all that is inspirational in design today. If you’ve ever marvelled at ground-breaking architecture, been excited by haute couture, or been moved by art – this car will provoke a strong sense of déjà vu. Today’s design icons have influenced every line and detail, from the sculpted, dynamic exterior to its sophisticated interior. And the technology in the cabin is as innovative as the most advanced electronics around today".

This particular car, then, dispels the myth that environmental friendliness equals lack of style, and the car has already national awards. Taking note, as Ford state, of current trends and technologies, it has also taken into account the growing popularity of the general environmental movement.

Green Credentials from the Mini Cooper Supermini

Fairing slightly worse than the Ford Fiesta supermini, the Mini Cooper, producing 104g carbon per kilometre, is still well placed compared to most other cars. It also has the bonus of being one of the most iconic cars every produced, doing itself in relation to its eco-friendliness, and in turn, environmental awareness, a world of good.

Another supermini, the size of its engine means that it is relatively clean, and has low carbon emissions outputs. It is also cheap to run, though unlike the new Fiord Fiesta supermini, the Mini Cooper will receive a VED of 'B', making it slightly more expensive in tax.

In terms of combining looks and eco-friendliness, though, it is perhaps the overall winner.

Being Smart - The Green Car King, the SMART Electric

Arguably the most famous green car going, the SMART electric produces, by definition, no carbon emissions, and will as a result receive a VED of 'A'. For Londoners, too, it represents a real bargain, being exempt from the congestion charge, as long as the car is registered for alternative fuel discount.

Though not the best looking of cars, the SMART has developed something of a cult following, and it’s mildly eccentricity has won it many fans.

With such a keen eye on the environment, it should soon win many more.

Posted under Cars & Transport

In the UK road transport accounts for 20% of total national carbon emissions, and is the third largest single contributor to carbon emissions totals. They produce carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, all of which are incredibly damaging. Finally, they road transport, as one substantial part of the transport sector, are part of one of the fastest growing sectors in terms of carbon emissions; when it comes to cars, emissions are getting worse, not better.

Understandably, a number of key environmental thinkers and lobbyists are pressurising the car industry, calling for cars that utilise green technology. That technology is certainly available; hybrid cars and electric cars have been researched, developed and manufactured. Why then, environmental lobbies ask, do the car industry not receive with open arms, such tantalising developments?

More pragmatically, it has also been suggested that, at least until hybrid or electric cars take off properly, a cap should be placed on cars with larger engines, so that any CO2 emissions as a result of road transport are minimised. That way, at least, the damage dealt by cars in the UK, and its effect on climate change, is only as damaging as is practically necessary.

The Missed Opportunity - Government Could Have Included Green Cars in the Car Scrappage Scheme

A cap on the size of car engines in the UK could only be administered by government, and a number of environmentalists saw the recently unveiled car scrappage scheme as a perfect opportunity to introduce legislation on reduction of car engine sizes; in a scheme that sees the government award £2000 toward the purchase of a brand new car when one scraps a car over 10 years old, it was believed that a restriction on the cars available for the scheme, would be preferable.

This preference, for environmentalists, included the stipulation that the new car must be less damaging in terms of carbon emissions than the old one. This has been the case in Germany and Italy, two of the countries in which similar schemes have begun, and on which the UK car scrappage scheme was based.

Why Co2 Emissions from Cars Can and Should be Reduced

With the transport sector growing rapidly in terms of its carbon emissions output, opportunities like the car scrappage scheme will be sorely missed; there is something of an irony surrounding the problem of carbon emissions in cars, as the opportunity for reduction is so large, yet the climate change problems in the industry are so great.

Tangible and practical changes can be made, though; buying cars with smaller engines, or better, with alternative fuel source, using cars less, and cycling or relying more on public transport, where emissions can be divided.

The UK is heavily reliant on road transport, like many parts of the world. But a reduction of its effect on climate change does not have to end that reliance.

Posted under Articles, Cars & Transport

New Labour have billed the scheme as something to kick-start the motor industry; receive £2000 for a car that is more than ten years old, as long as a brand new car to replace the scrapped car. It is hoped that the scheme will increase manufacture for the motor industry within the UK, and provide citizens with a chance to indulge in newer, more reliable cars.

The scheme is modelled on similar programmes that have taken off successfully in other European nations, including Germany, France and Italy. In the UK, early trends have shown that the public are willing to take part in the scheme, and initial statistics indicate that car manufacture in the UK is increasing, and the cost to the consumer is decreasing; people are scrapping old cars for smaller, cost-effective new models.

Neglecting the Environmental Opportunity

Whilst the scheme could benefit the consumer in cost-effectiveness, and the motor industry in increased manufacturing opportunities, environmentalists are arguing that the government, in ignoring the chance to include carbon emissions caps on the cars available in the scheme, have missed a perfect opportunity to attack the climate change issue within the UK, in one of the problem's key areas.

Interestingly, the models on which the scheme is based - the programme in Italy being a particularly good example - have combined economic incentives with environmental benefits, seizing, in the eyes of the environmental lobby, a perfect opportunity to reduce the percentage of carbon emissions as a result of motor vehicles, in their respective countries.

Though the scheme has indeed shown a general trend in people taking up smaller cars, a number of environmentalists are regretting that the scheme was not designed to include such a feature; certainly the effect of the programme is that smaller, fuel efficient cars will populate British roads, but nothing from the government has necessitated such a change.

A Lack of Green Car Policy - Emblematic?

For some, the lack of environmental design in the car scrappage scheme is a worrying indication of New Labour's effective environmental policy; whilst the government pays lip--service to a need for environmental reform, critics argue that such a missed opportunity - be it through complacency or policy - shows that New Labour are far less committed to an actual environmental reform than they claim.

Of course New Labour supporters can point to a number of steps. The creation of the Department for Energy and Climate change in October of 2008 is perhaps emblematic in itself of a government awareness of the importance of climate change as a primary issue, and Prime Minister Gordon Brown's commitment to the electric car should allay some of the fears posited by environmentalists in relation to the government stance on the motor industry.

In counter, though, it could be argued that environmental reform in the motor industry is moving to slowly, in an arena where carbon emissions are both highly noted at relatively easy to curb.

Essentially, it seems, the government have missed something of an environmental trick.

Posted under Articles, Cars & Transport

GLOBAL

In 1861 the French carriage-maker Ernest Michaux made history, creating the prototype of what might well be the best balanced mode of transportation; the modern bicycle -with two wheels of the same size- will celebrate its 150th birthday in two years. Why not throw the party of the century, a massive, global bicycle marathon, filling the streets? Nothing new with mass-cycling manifestations, in London there was recently a naked bicycle parade, putting big smiles on the Londoners' faces. But in 2011 we could, no make that should, put together an Earth Hour-style tsunami of bike riders. A relay race with the planet for stadium, combining Tour du France, Giro d'Italia, Sverige Runt and any other cross country bicycle competition you care to mention. Take this as a challenge and get your bike kitted up and ready for action by June 2011.

In the face of fossil fuel scarcity and high prices of petrol combined with CO2-emission reduction targets and the health implications of lessening smog, the trend in may parts of the world is to accommodate bicycles. Think massbicyclism and you will picture Beijing. And you would be right. China was the bicycle mecca par excellence. A large part of personal transportation -not to mention deliveries and other 'business trips'- is pedaled through the Chinese capital. But China is changing. Quoting Worldwatch Institute, the New Internationalist magazine reports that in the country 'over 200,000 hectares of prime farmland disappear under new roads each year.'  Further, the article mentions that in the 1980's, the authorities in Jakarta discarded 20,000 bicycle rickshaws into Jakarta Bay to rid the city of backward technology. Think massbicyclism again and this time imagine the city of Bogotá, Colombia. The city boasts the most extensive series of bike paths in the world in a network with 300 kilometres (180miles) of dedicated lanes. The South-American country is not primarily connected to environmental initiatives and that is of course not the whole truth behind the campaign the started during Mayor Enrique Peñalosa's 3-year reign from 1997-2000. Today, between 300,000 to 400,000 bicycle trips are made each day in Bogotá.

The cost effective, non-polluting and nimble way of getting from point A to point B in a rush hour crazed metropolis might be the most compelling argument. Add to that the health benefits, for both the biker and the city as a whole and you have a very simple answer to many problems faced by our evermore urbanised world. Recently, for the first time in human, more than half of the world's population lived in cities. By 2050, it will be 70% according to the UN. A quick glance at the reality of getting to work in Mexico City where 3-4 hour car trips are considered normal will tell us all we need to know about what we do not want. In short, switching to biking is a slam-dunk move for your private economy, your health and the future of the planet. Coming from the other direction, going from no vehicle to a bicycle will open up possibilities in many poor parts of the world. Traffic congestion and pollution should not be allowed to dictate the conditions of the urban landscape any longer.

For good news the spread of bikes category, check out the Bamboo Bike Project website here.

Posted under Cars & Transport, Product Innovations

Green Car: The New All-Electric Tesla Model S. Family sedan - range 300 miles

EVERY day, as I wake up, I see a layer of brown smog hanging over London. We are not alone. Every big city with a million or more people (we have six) has a pollution problem. It affects the quality of the air we breath and motivates us to fly more at this time of year - many of us trying to soak up fresh Alpine Air (if we are lucky).

We all know pollution, air quality problems, increasing CO2 levels and Climate Change are caused by the combustion of fossil fuels. One of the biggest contributors to Climate Change is the transport sector and the Government have now recognised this. Not only has Prime Minister Gordon Brown recently said that EV's would be one of the key cornerstones of his economic recovery plan, but Mayor Boris Johnson has unveiled a plan to introduce 100,000 Electric Vehicles (EVs) and back the technology with the introduction of 25,000 charging stations in the capital.

The Government's wholehearted backing of green car technologies comes at a historic and exciting time for green car companies in the U.K. And there are several green electric car manufacturers now that you should know about - if you care about the environment as much as we do!

TESLA MOTORS - LAUNCH OF ROADSTER, NOW THE SEDAN (pictured above)

In the two weeks following the launch of Tesla Motors new Model S - an all-electric family sedan that carries up to seven people and travels up to 300 miles per charge - over 700 reservations have been taken. Credit crunch or no credit crunch, people are flocking and backing green car technologies like never seen before. And the performance of the Model S is not just encouraging, but astounding - 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 130 mph. Yes it could go faster! To make your journey more comfortable, there is an inbuilt 17-inch touch screen with in-car 3G connectivity - meaning you consult Google Maps, listen to Pandora Radio or check the car's state of charge remotely on your iPhone. The Model S can be recharged from any 120V, 208V or 240V outlet or quick-charged from an external direct current supply in only 45 minutes.

Two other cars, the Nice Megacity and the Reva L-Ion, both 'city' cars with a top speed of 50mph, are also proving popular.

REVA - L-Ion

Since 2001, India based Reva have sold over 2000 units according the New York Times. Initially, there were problems with the Reva after Jeremy Clarkson did a crash test and labelled it the 'worst car in Britain'! Reva have now strengthened the car and have introduced new Lithium Ion technology that allows the car to travel 75 miles and reach a top speed of 50mph. The price tag varies between £7995 for the Reva I which uses lead battery technology and the latest Reva Lithium Ion which retails for £15,795. It is marketed through GoinGreen based here in Britain.

NICE Megacity

Similarly, the Nice Megacity is proving very popular. Not only does it sound amazing with its all electric sound, but it is manufactured in Europe (France) and is distributed from Nice Car Company's Notting Hill base. The price tag on the nice range of cars is £8995-£14,000, so not unreasonable for the latest cutting edge technology. You can now book your test drive of the Nice Car at the Westfield shopping centre in London or if you live outside London, you contact them for alternative arrangements.

THE WAY FORWARD - WHAT SHOULD I DO?

I urge each one of us to do our bit and there is still time. Many people feel hopeless given the enormity of the Global Warming Problem but there is good news. At the recent Sustainability Summit at the Dorchester in London (which EcoSwitch attended), David Nussbaum, CEO of WWF UK, said it definitely wasn't too late. If we all do our bit now - and many of us are warming up to the idea of tacking pollution and Climate Change - then we will mitigate the impact of Global Warming. We did it with aerosols and the Ozone Layer and we can do it again with Climate Change.

We can start with a switch to a greener car. If you can't afford it yet, please save a bit each month so you can.

In the meantime, you can still do simple things which have a very positive effect on our environment, such as switching to a green electricity provider. Did you know that Power Stations in this country are responsible for an estimated 33% of all CO2 emissions? You can cut your individual 33% by switching to one of the genuine green energy companies - Ecotricity, Good Energy or Green Energy. You will then be ready to order your green car - remember electric cars are only as green as the electricity you put into them. So it is important to find a genuine provider as there are lots of 'Green' tariffs but they vary enormously in quality.

EcoSwitch.com will shortly be launching a comparison of the most genuine green companies (links above) to help you with the switch - and it should only take 5 minutes to apply.

Posted under Cars & Transport, Climate, Corporate, Gas & Electricity, Renewable Energy