By Michael Boxwell.

With all the big car makers announcing and launching new electric cars, it’s easy to forget the smaller players who have been building electric vehicles for years.

Quietly keeping under the radar, French manufacturer Aixam is preparing a new electric car for European launch this Spring. Similar in size to the classic Mini, the new car will have seating for four people and is expected to be the lowest cost lithium-powered electric car on the market.

The car replaces the original NICE electric car that has sold in small numbers in London over the past few years.

Sources close to the company are keeping tight-lipped about the details. Acceleration, top speed and range is said to be improved over the existing cars which will extend their practicality.

The initial production run of the new vehicles is scheduled to start in the next three weeks and test vehicles will be on the roads in the United Kingdom by the end of April.

Meanwhile, Indian manufacturer REVA, makers of the G-Wiz say they will also have a low cost lithium-powered car on the market in the UK later this year. Details of the new vehicle remain sketchy, but it is expected to be based around their existing G-Wiz vehicle rather than their new NXR design.

Michael Boxwell is a long time electric car owner and the author of The Electric Car Guide series of books. Find out more at www.TheElectricCarGuide.com. 

English universities face cuts or caps to their funding from 2011 if they fail to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions under Government proposals, and they may also be expected to take the lead amongst UK institutions on emissions cuts into the longer-term future.

The proposals are the subject of a new consultation launched earlier this month by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (Hefce), and they could mean universities will have to cut their carbon emissions by 50 per cent (compared with 1990 levels) over the next few years.

The targets are being proposed at a time when universities are having to expand to meet growing demand for places, and when their carbon emissions have increased compared with 1990 levels by over 30 per cent.

Faced with an uphill task, some universities are anticipating the change by adopting electric vehicles within their fleets, to reduce the transport element of their total carbon output – including Birmingham, Canterbury, Greenwich, Manchester, Oxford, Plymouth, Warwick and Western England.

The University of Warwick bought three Mega Multitruck electric vans during the academic year 2006/7 as part of its own Carbon Implementation Plan, under which it introduces a radical new environmentally-friendlier transport initiative each year.

The vehicles have replaced three diesel vehicles making sandwich deliveries across the campus and transporting green waste and tools for the facilities management team, and the university’s research shows savings in excess of nine tonnes of CO2 per year.

“Electric vehicles are an obvious way for universities to make savings, as part of their normal vehicle replacement programmes,” said Lawrence Holland, general manager of electric vehicle manufacturer and distributor Aixam Mega.

“Most university fleet vehicles make stop-start trips across relatively short distances, often in heavily populated areas. Electrics are purpose-designed for this kind of trip, cutting on-road emissions to zero, and also giving users a clean-running, silent vehicle to improve quality of life in areas where there lots of pedestrians.”

Achieving the proposed targets will be onerous as demand for places continues to grow, and new buildings and vehicles are acquired to compensate.

The organisations will have to adopt a raft of measures, across their transport, buildings management and procurement operations to meet their environmental obligations and ensure their funding remains on-track.
For more information on Aixam Mega visit www.mega-vehicles.com

Electric vehicle maker Aixam Mega; which owns the NICE brand in the UK, has called on the government to rethink its policy on electric cars and vans.

They believe that a report published today by the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) will add considerable weight that government policy is at odds with its green plans.

The document is a review of the progress that has been made to date on sustainable development, and it provides details of how the 2005 government strategy ‘Securing the Future’ has failed in several areas, notably its aim to bring about a reduction in greenhouse gases of 20 per cent by 2010. The report states that when trade and travel is taken into account emissions have actually risen.

What is the problem?

Axiam Mega believe that the government’s sole focus on distant new green technologies rather than technology currently available is a mistake, the French manufacturer even states that its products are being deliberately excluded in the current spate of electric car trials.

Aixam Mega general manager Lawrence Holland says that the company has been willing to take part in various initiatives, including the scrappage scheme and the recently announced electric vehicle trials in major towns and cities, but has been refused each time.

He said: “We have been told that this is because our vehicles are legally described as quadricycles, rather than as cars, owing to their lighter weight, and lower power output.

“In terms of the environmental agenda, this is a nonsensical distinction to be making.

“We make vehicles for private motorists and a range of trucks and vans which have a wide range of practical applications in an urban environment. They meet all the UK government’s own criteria for electrics in terms of speed, safety, emissions, range and recyclability.

“The government’s own estimates show that 22 per cent of the UK’s carbon emissions come from transport, and that the widespread adoption of electric vehicles capable of a range of 50km or more could cut carbon emissions from road transport by half. By allowing commercially ready vehicles such as ours onto their programmes, the government could make real progress towards achieving its carbon reduction targets.”

There is little to doubt that Axiam Mega, as well as other quadricycle manufacturers, is being unfairly excluded from government trials and funding.

Is it not time that a fully integrated transport solution is looked at? Including a variety of public and private transport options, from hybrid buses to electric quadricycles.

Let us know your thoughts below.

London Mayor Boris Johnson’s recently announced Electric Vehicle Delivery Plan is a highly positive step towards kick-starting the large-scale adoption of electric vehicles and boosting consumer confidence, according to electric quadricycle manufacturer and distributor Aixam Mega.

The plan, announced on Tuesday, 19 May at the C40 Climate Change Summit in Seoul, promises a range of measures to put at least 100,000 electric vehicles on London’s roads as soon as possible, from investment in re-charging infrastructure to financial incentives for consumers.

The plan also guarantees that electric vehicles will remain exempt from the Congestion Charge, a benefit that the Mayor’s office says will save the average electric vehicle user £1700 per year.

Lawrence Holland, general manager of ultra-light electric quadricycle manufacturer Aixam Mega, which distributes the Mega e-City and Mega Multitrucks in the capital, welcomes the plan.

He said: “I hope that the Mayor and the London Electric Vehicle Partnership will work with us to put more electric vehicles on the road, both in private ownership and in fleets, right now.

“Current industry opinion is that there will not be any mass market electric cars on the roads for a good while yet, but our electric two and four seat quadricycles are already available, and they have been designed with London traffic conditions in mind.

“This means that there is scope to start working towards that target of 100,000 electric vehicles straight away.

“Buying an electric vehicle costs more than buying a petrol or diesel-powered equivalent, and so purchasers need to be assured that they will see ongoing savings on fuel, and through other benefits such as free parking. Then they will be confident that they will save money over the life of the vehicle.

“People also need to see the recharging infrastructure being put in place, so they have confidence in a decision which will ultimately save them money, and improve air quality for everyone.”

Ultra-light electrics such as the Mega e-City and Mega Multitrucks are designed for urban driving and frequent stop-start journeys, and have a range of around 40 miles between charges. The average journey in London is just four miles.

Electric vehicles emit no CO2 or other greenhouse gases on the road. Powered from the domestic grid they reduce environmental impact by around two-thirds (compared with a traditional car) because of their greater efficiency in using energy. Powered from renewable sources, they offer even greener motoring.

Motorists make major savings from day one: the running cost for a Mega e-City is 2-3p per mile. A small petrol or diesel-powered car costs in excess of 20p per mile.

The government’s new car scrappage scheme, which launches on Monday, 18 May, discriminates against some groups of motorists, and works against the government’s own plans to encourage the use of electric vehicles, says ultra-light vehicle manufacturer and importer Aixam Mega.

Following meetings at the Department for Transport, Aixam Mega has been informed that ultra-light vehicles or quadricyles – including those with electric, petrol or diesel-powered engines – will not be eligible for a £2000 discount under the scrappage programme.

The company was the only maker of ultra-light vehicles to attend these planning discussions between the government and vehicle manufacturers, and confirmed that it had every intention of participating fully in the scheme.

Lawrence Holland, general manager of Aixam Mega, said that the scrappage scheme, which is intended to boost the automotive industry and to remove the most polluting vehicles from the road, has not been well thought-out. He said: “The government is missing a big opportunity to put more electric vehicles onto the roads of UK towns and cities.

“The only electric vehicles currently available to most motorists have been specifically excluded from the scrappage scheme.

“In addition, the UK still has a significant number of older motorists who do not hold licences to drive traditional cars, and who are therefore still driving old polluting and worn-out three wheelers.

“Parts are no longer available for these, with the result that they are becoming less and less reliable, and less safe.

“In addition to its electric vehicle range, Aixam Mega produces petrol and diesel-powered ultra-light vehicles that three-wheeler drivers can trade up to, improving their own safety and reducing their vehicle emissions.

“A re-think on its scrappage scheme policy would help the government to get more potentially unsafe and polluting vehicles off the road, and also boost its plans to increase electric vehicle use.”

Aixam Mega sell quadricycles such as the Crossline, Scouty and A751.

As the scheme is expected to expire by March 2010, or whenever the £300 million allocated fund runs out, most electric car producers will not get the chance to take advantage of the scheme. Potentially eligible electric cars-rather than current generation electric quadricycles- are not expected to be mass-marketed in the UK until at the very earliest of 2010. Electric cars such as Mitsubishi’s iMiEV will therefore miss out on the scheme.

The Arrive ‘N Drive at Rockingham, Tuesday 19 May, allows you to test cars that reduce CO2 emissions from company fleets.

Fleet managers are under constant pressure to reduce costs, increase safety and introduce environmental policies to cut down on CO2 and other tailpipe emissions. Until recently, environmental performance and cost reduction were phrases not often used in the same sentence. The success of events such as the GreenFleet Arrive ‘N’ Drive have gone some way to convince fleet managers and those responsible for road transport procurement that a greener fleet doesn’t mean a higher level of investment. When lifetime costs are taken into account, it can be demonstrated that green can indeed mean ‘lean’.

The GreenFleet Arrive ‘N’ Drive 09, takes place on 19 May at Rockingham Motor Speedway, Northants.

The Arrive ‘N’ Drive will feature offerings from the leading manufacturers, as well as the latest HGV’s on display.

Part of the attraction to the Arrive ‘N’ Drive is that test drivers are accompanied by ARDS (Association of Racing Drivers’ Schools) instructors, who offer tips on how to drive with fuel economy and safety in mind, and will instruct in ways to save fuel through driving style.

Attendees that wish to test drive the vehicles must attend a short briefing session before going out on the track, which details health and safety procedures and offers green driving tips. And don’t forget your driver’s licence!

Event timetable

• 8.30am Arrive ‘N’ Drive registration opens
• 9.00am Breakfast & Refreshments
• 9.15am First driver briefings take place
• 1.00pm Lunch
• 4.30pm Final track appointments to take place
• 5.00pm Event close

Companies at the Arrive ‘n’ Drive

• Aixam
• Calor Gas
• Citroën
• The Eco Power Group
• Elsbett
• Eurofrigo
• Modec
• Modul System
• RHA
• Tata Motors
• Zero Emission Vehicles

For more information

Professionals from across the public and private sectors are invited to the event, and should visit www.greenfleet.net/arrivendriveregistration to register.

Aixam-Mega, the French electric vehicle maker which bought the remnants of NICE car company after the latter entered administration in late 2008 have an excellent offer available on new MEGA City cars ordered before 31st March 2009 in London.

The MEGA City is capable of a top speed of 40mph, and has a range of around 60miles, even better it is exempt from London Congestion Charges and benefits from free parking in many areas of central London.

With prices normally starting at just over £11,000 customers ordering before April will save 10% on the price of their shiny, new electric car, a saving of over £1,000!

For more information check out the NICE Car Company website.

London’s electric vehicle specialist, NICE Car Company, has resumed trading as the London sales arm of AIXAM-MEGA Ltd, maker of the MEGA e-City electric passenger vehicle and the MEGA Multitruck range of ultra-light electric and diesel commercial vehicles.

AIXAM-MEGA Ltd acquired the assets of NICE after it went into administration in November and has confirmed that the terms of ownership for existing customers will remain unaffected, with warranties remaining intact.

Following the closure of the NICE showroom in West London, AIXAM-MEGA Ltd will operate NICE as a direct sales arm for the London area. A servicing facility and small admin office will continue in Ladbroke Grove, whilst all other administrative tasks will be performed from AIXAM-MEGA Ltd’s headquarters in Rugby, Warwickshire.

Well established owners

AIXAM-MEGA Ltd is the UK subsidiary of the French AIXAM-MEGA company, which makes and distributes a range of innovative light weight vehicles worldwide. Outside London, the MEGA branded e-City car and Multitruckranges, as well as AIXAM branded small lightweight passenger vehicles, are sold and serviced via a network of specialist dealers and aftercare outlets.

Lawrence Holland, general manager of AIXAM-MEGA Ltd, said: “We are fully committed to developing the market for ultra-light electric private and commercial vehicles across the UK, and regard NICE as an important part of our growing sales network.

“We have retained the key aspects of the NICE car operation, enabling us to make the transfer of business as seamless as possible. MEGA drivers should be reassured that, from their perspective, it is now ‘business as normal’ at NICE Car”.

“If the UK is to keep moving the environmental agenda forward in the face of the economic downturn, we need to encourage businesses, public sector bodies and individuals to consider a move to electric vehicles for repetitive short hop transport. These cars are ideal for commuting and as pool cars for any urban firm providing a local service, such as estate agents, solicitors, barristers, and so on. As well as their obvious benefits in terms of lowering CO2 emissions, they can also considerably reduce the cost of motoring while improving life in densely populated areas both in terms of noise and air quality.

“We will be talking to local and central government as well as business users to see how we can promote further growth in infrastructure as well as broader acceptance of the benefits of these cars”.

 As a new report shows petrol and diesel prices on the rise again, town-based drivers and businesses should take a fresh look at using electric vehicles to save money on their motoring costs, according to Lawrence Holland, general manager of ultra-light electric vehicle manufacturer Aixam Mega, which now operates the London NICE Car dealership.

The AA’s Fuel Price Report for February 2009 shows that prices for unleaded fuel rose nearly five per cent over the past month, while diesel prices also rose, albeit more modestly.

Mr Holland said: “Road fuel prices are very volatile, but there is no doubt that the general trend is upwards. Electricity prices, on the other hand, are falling.

“Even when electricity prices were at their peak, it cost less than £1 to fully charge one of our vehicles, and total running costs were between 2p and 3p per mile.”

Aixam Mega says that using one of its vehicles for short-hop and frequent-stop town centre driving, which represent the bulk of journeys for most urban motorists and businesses, will have a big impact on ongoing motoring costs, and will also help to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

The company’s products include the Mega e-City, an all-electric vehicle with a choice of two and four seats, and Mega Multitrucks, a range of ultra-light commercials typically used for light deliveries and collections.

Mr Holland said: “The Mayor of London has said he is committed to reducing C02 levels on London’s roads over the next few years.

“Our vehicles will help to achieve that, whilst saving drivers money at the same time.”

Good news from Aixam Mega, the manufacturer of ultra-light electric vehicles, and until recently supplier to London’s NICE Car Company, with the welcome announcement that they have acquired the assets of the Ladbroke Grove-based dealer which went into administration in November 2008.

The French-based company will continue to sell and service their Mega City vehicle to Londoners, as well as the company’s Mega Multitrucks range of light commercial vehicles and have taken on NICE Car Company’s facilities in London; while all administration will transfer to Aixam Mega’s base in Rugby.

Aixam Mega’s UK general manager Lawrence Holland said that the acquisition gives existing Mega customers in London continuity of after sales service, and will also ensure that the company can continue to move forward with its plans to develop the market for electric vehicles.

He said: “We are fully committed to developing the market for ultra-light electric private and commercial vehicles across the UK, and regard this dealership as an important part of our growing dealer network.

“We have retained the key sales and service facilities, as well as some personnel, to make the transfer of business as seamless as possible. Mega drivers should be reassured that, from their perspective, it is now ‘business as normal’ at NICE Car.

“Sales of electric vehicles have slowed during the recent economic downturn, and this has contributed to the problems experienced by the former NICE Car management team, but over the longer term sales have been growing steadily. We believe that this growth will continue and that electrics will buck the trends affecting the wider automotive sector.”