With the first of four days of a unique low carbon motoring show underway, I headed to Ecovelocity at Battersea Power Station in London to bravely sample what the show had to offer (I know, you can thank me later).
With three days left to go, I’d say its well worth the entry fee given that it’s an unprecedented opportunity to sample the latest green cars including an exciting array of electric and hybrid models. Where else will you get the chance to test drive so many of the very greatest models in all things low carbon?
Highlights of the show include test drive opportunities of the Vauxhall Ampera (book in early for this one, the What Car Green award-winning car was easily the most in demand while I was there), the Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 and Peugeot iON electric car, Toyota Auris and Prius hybrids, Lexus CT200h, Volkswagen Toureg hybrid and Scirocco Bluemotion, Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Honda’s hybrid range and Volvo’s DRIVe range.
One complaint about Ecovelocity-there was simple too much to do! I arrived at the start of the day and feel like I only got to scratch the surface. By the time I got round to test driving the Lexus CT200h, I could have happily slept in its comfy seats. For my personal experience of the show, I test drove as many cars as I could, experienced my first two-wheel experience courtesy of the Get On programme, riding a Yamaha ec:03 electric scooter and watched with much amusement as a group of lads raced Ampera-styled remote controlled model cars backwards (I bet Vauxhall is glad its cars aren’t usually driven as badly as these toy ones).
There is even something for the youngsters at the show, with SEAT running a Young Driver Experience course, giving 11 to 17 year olds a first chance to get behind the wheel. Honda is also running a ‘My First Licence’ experience for five to eleven year olds to drive a restricted 50cc motorcycle round a specially designed circuit. Of course, safety instructors on hand to show them how to safely enjoy the experience, so parents need not worry.
You can also try out the famous Segway experience too and check out the Supercar paddock where some of the most famous performance electric cars in the world are located including record-breaking Bluebird electric, Telsa roadster, Lightnining GT, Westfield iRacer and Evelio K1.
A parade of the What Car? winners and other unique eco cars takes place three times daily; see the Peel electric car, famous as the smallest electric car in the world, the mini electric Hummer as well the award winners including the Kia Picanto, Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion and Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4.
Altogether an exhausting yet enjoyable day. The show continues today and over the weekend, so make sure you get your tickets. See www.ecovelocity.co.uk.
Disclaimer; trip to Ecovelocity was funded by Volvo.
