A new partnership has been formed between Electric Car Company Inc and Liberty Electric Cars for the conversion of large luxury 4x4s to electric drive and the manufacture of new electric vehicles.

A letter of intent has been signed between the electric conversion specialist and Liberty Electric which is based in Oxford, England, but has offices in Chicago, USA, and has invested heavily in the re-engineering of existing large, luxury vehicles.

The focus of the joint venture is expected to be on large vehicles including the Range Rover, which will use Liberty’s electric power train. Liberty Electric Cars replaces the entire internal combustion engine drive train with an electric power system using four on-board motors and an advanced energy storage system. The performance capabilities of the technology are astounding – it can race from 0-60mph in less than six seconds, has a top speed of 110mph and a range capability of 200miles on a six-hour charge.

The companies will also look into new electric vehicles including the Bug “e” project.

The agreement will be initially based at the Electric Car Company conversion centre in Springfield, Missouri, but is expected to include the establishment of further conversion centres across the US.

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Liberty Electric Cars will begin manufacturing the world’s first zero emission, electric 4x4s in north -east England later this year.

The Oxford-based company has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with One North East to invest £30m into manufacturing electric vehicles at a base at Nelson Industrial Estate, Cramlington, Northumberland, and is in discussions with major suppliers in the region.

Production volume for the first vehicle, a plug-in electric Range Rover, is likely to top 1,000 annually, creating 250 new jobs and contributing over £120m a year into the local economy, Liberty say. Future production will include other Land Rover models and prestige marques, incorporating the company’s unique electric drive-train.

Barry Shrier, Liberty founder and CEO, said: “The Liberty Electric Range Rover takes electric vehicle technology into a new sector, to large luxury cars that people aspire to drive, particularly in cities and urban environments where environmental controls are becoming increasingly tighter.

“North East England, through the stewardship of One North East, is fast becoming a world leader in clean energy, infrastructure development and electric vehicle manufacturing, which is why we feel that our business will prosper here. We have also been greatly encouraged by the region’s strong academic links.”

The Liberty Electric Range Rover has a 200 mile range, stunning acceleration and will top 100mph. Prices are expected to be in the region of £125,000 depending on model and specification.

Alan Clarke, One North East Chief Executive, said: “This investment is excellent news for the region and places North East England at the forefront of electric vehicle manufacture and infrastrucutre development.

“The decision by Liberty Electric Cars to establish a North East manufacturing base reflects their confidence in the region’s skills base and the work we are doing to create an electric charging point infrastructure across the North East to allow electric vehicles to operate to their full potential.

“Electric vehicle development opens up an exciting future for the automotive industry and we are determined that North East England will play a leading role in this development.”

Nick Brown MP, Minister for the North East, said: “The North East is home to a number of exciting projects in the renewable energy sector which can make a real impact on the region’s employment base.

“The creation of 250 jobs from the Liberty Electric Cars project demonstrates this.”

Bob Coxon, Chairman of the North East England Science and Industry Council, said: “The North East’s technology strategy which has been pursued consistently over many years is once again paying off with jobs in new growth companies. Our focus on clean energy technology is a key reason for Liberty choosing the North East above other possible locations in the UK and internationally.”

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Liberty Electric Cars has appointed Bob Nash, to take over prototype and manufacturing operations. As Managing Director of RBS Insurance UK Assistance Accident Repair Centres, Nash was responsible for developing and managing the UK’s largest insurer- owned repair business, with around 1200 employees and a £90 million turnover.

He is a Member of the Institute of the Motor Industry (MIMI), a Certified Automotive Engineer (CAE) and a qualified helicopter pilot.

Nash is implementing production of the world’s first electrically powered Range Rover and in doing so, pioneering the application of innovative ‘environmental technologies’ to the automotive production process.

He is working closely with Liberty suppliers in areas such as in-vehicle energy storage and management, regenerative energy systems and holistic computer software connecting the technologies together.

He said: “The challenge to create a production strategy for a whole new generation of automotive manufacturing is one that I simply could not pass up”.
Liberty Electric Cars is addressing the rapidly expanding demand for zero and low emission cars, through the development of its unique electric vehicle technology platform that will power cars which satisfy the sports, family and luxury sectors, such as the Range Rover.

The company engineers electric propulsion into existing vehicles, replacing the internal combustion engine with electrical power. This approach has less environmental impact than creating a new range of vehicles, and allows customers drive the vehicle they want, without the cost to the environment.

The Liberty Electric Range Rover reduces CO2 output by up to six tonnes per year, per vehicle and delivers a driving experience that combines fast acceleration, high top end speed and huge economies – electricity is much cheaper than petrol, so running costs are 80 per cent less than the petrol equivalent.

It runs for 200 miles before needing a charge, and some models will carry on board range extending generators. Costs range between £95,000 and £125,000 depending on model and specification.

Barry Shrier, CEO, Liberty Electric Cars says: “We are proud to have Bob Nash on board. It’s a great boost to have such a high profile, talented expert join the senior management team”.

In response to the need for a rapid and radical ‘environmental technology’ shift across the entire industry, Liberty Electric Cars has also launched the Zero Emission Vehicle Foundation. The Foundation is accelerating the introduction of zero emission technologies by raising awareness, and attracting funds and investment into the sector.

The Foundation’s board, is chaired by Lord Anthony St John of Bletso, and includes other prominent figures from the automotive industry, the sciences, Government and the private sector. It brings component suppliers and vehicle manufacturers together, to create the right connections, through its quarterly meetings.

The company is investing £30 million and will creating 250 new manufacturing technology jobs.

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With sales enquires for the world’s first electric Range Rover growing daily, Liberty Electric Cars has appointed London-based Envy Motors to be its first UK retail dealership. Envy Motors specialises in low emission vehicles.

Liberty Electric Cars has been established to respond to the rapidly expanding demand for zero and low emission cars. Worldwide concern about global warming and climate change is growing enormously and individuals and businesses are taking steps to lower their carbon emissions.

Barry Shrier, CEO of Liberty Electric Cars said: “The Liberty Electric Range Rover offers our customers the opportunity to drive cleanly and quietly around London’s roads, free of tax, congestion and parking charges. The vehicle is a perfect fit for Envy Motor’s business model.”

TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk interview with Barry Shrier

The company’s focus is on zero emission cars that satisfy the family, luxury and sports cars sectors, such as the Range Rover. Liberty Electric Cars engineers electric propulsion into existing vehicles using its unique electric drive-train platform, replacing the internal combustion engine with electrical power. This approach has less environmental impact than creating a new range of vehicles. It also lets customers drive the vehicle they want, without the cost to the environment.

By creating the world’s first zero-emission luxury four by four based on the iconic Range Rover, Liberty Electric Cars is reducing CO2 output by up to six tonnes per year, per vehicle and delivering a driving experience that combines fast acceleration, high top end speed and huge economies – electricity is much cheaper than petrol, so running costs for Liberty Electric Range Rover are 80 per cent less than the petrol equivalent.

Martin Kadhim, managing director, Envy Motors said: “The interest being shown in the Liberty Electric Range Rover is very encouraging. We are delighted to be working with the Liberty team and look forward to a long and successful relationship”.

Envy Motors is located at 304, Fulham Road, London, SW10 9ER, and is currently taking deposits of £1000 to secure orders for 2009 production. For more information call Martin Kadhim on 0207 795 1855 (Mobile 07958 708 250).

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Barry Shrier is the charismatic and passionate promoter of entrepreneurial innovation – he is also the founder and CEO of Liberty Electric Cars. Liberty Electric Cars was established to respond to the rapidly expanding demand for zero and low emission cars. The company is investing £30 million in the re engineering of large luxury cars and 4×4s into emission-free, high performance electric vehicles. TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk speaks to Barry about the recent exclusive agreement reached with ecurie 25 and asks for his thoughts on pedestrian safety, the Eden Project’s ‘Green Car Show’ if whether or not he believes that electricity is a viable solution to fossil fuels.

Barry Shrier interview – August 2008

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Liberty Electric Cars and ecurie25, the world’s most sophisticated supercar sharing club, have reached an exclusive agreement that will give the car club’s members unique access to the world’s first zero emission electric Range Rover.

Barry Shrier, CEO of Liberty Electric Cars says: “We are delighted that ecurie25 has decided to make the Liberty electric Range Rover available to its members. Apart from being one of the most notable car clubs in the world, ecurie25 is distinct in that it actively encourages its members to divide their driving time between the exotic and the environmentally-friendly.

“General sales interest in the electric Range Rover has been staggering, so we are sure that it will be a very popular choice with ecurie25 members”.

The Liberty electric Range Rover drives cleanly and quietly around roads and cities, free of tax, congestion and parking charges, making less environmental impact than even the smallest, most fuel efficient car, yet still offering the comfort and security of a luxury 4 x 4″. It has a driving range of 200 miles, further with its on board generator, which maintains power levels while the vehicle is in use.

The vehicle has 80 per cent lower running costs than the equivalent petrol powered Range Rover. Electrical power is also a more efficient source of power, and enhances dynamic performance because of its instantly available torque.

Chirag Shah, director, ecurie25 said: “The Liberty electric Range Rover will be available later this year. We are very pleased to have secured this opportunity exclusively for our members. They will be among the first in the world to drive this truly innovative vehicle”.

With two London locations; Old Street and Knightsbridge, ecurie25 is London’s premier luxury car club.

In exchange for an annual membership fee, members gain access to the club’s collection of cars – typically 30-60 days per year.  As with other asset sharing concepts, cost savings are significant. Whereas the cost of running a supercar such as a Ferrari would be around £40,000 a year, an ecurie25 member will spend around £10,000 on club membership. Membership of ecurie25 also includes concierge services, access to private clubs, invitations to exclusive events and many other benefits.

In addition to the club’s principal supercars such as the Ferrari F430, Lamborghini Gallardo and Aston Martin DB9, ecurie25 also offers a range of car types for different driving occasions; the Maserati Quattroporte for grand touring with the family, the Liberty electric Range Rover for a luxury Alpine adventure and so on.  With a wide variety of options, ecurie25 membership presents a true alternative to ownership for the busy sophisticated city driver.

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Liberty Electric Cars has appointed Stewart McKee PR to handle its £300,000 UK and overseas communication brief covering new product launches, corporate and product PR and stakeholder relations.

The account was awarded following the consultancy’s successful media launch of the company, and its plans to manufacture the world’s first electric Range Rover, at the Eden Project in Cornwall, following which several advanced orders were taken for the £125,000 zero emission vehicle.

Barry Shrier, founder and CEO of Liberty Electric Cars said: “We needed a PR company that has strong corporate credentials to help position the business with its many and varied audiences, and also the technical knowledge, contacts and creativity to exploit opportunities in the rapidly evolving electric car landscape”.

Stewart McKee PR is a networked PR and marketing communications consultancy with its roots in automotive and corporate communication. However, more recently it has transferred its way of thinking to the clean technology, brand and luxury sectors, for clients such as fashion designer Bruce Oldfield. It also has a specialist division that looks after the needs of Chinese companies, launching into Europe.

Founder, Stewart McKee was previously Group PR Director at MG Rover and also Head of Corporate Affairs, Nissan Europe.

McKee will sit on the Foundation Board of Liberty Electric Cars, which is chaired by Lord Anthony St John of Bletso and includes former science minister Ian Taylor MBE, MP and a number of industry experts. The board will raise awareness of the needs of a newly emerging supply base of new technology companies looking to work alongside zero emission vehicle manufacturers, such as Liberty.

Liberty Electric Cars Ltd is investing £30 million in the re engineering of large luxury cars and 4 x 4′s into emission-free, high performance electric vehicles. Annual vehicle production, which will include the world’s first zero emission, electrically powered Range Rover, will be in tens of thousands and will create around 250 new technology and manufacturing jobs.

The Liberty Electric Range Rover will drive cleanly and quietly around roads and cities, free of tax, congestion and parking charges, making less environmental impact than even the smallest, most fuel efficient car, still offering the comfort and security of a luxury 4 x 4.

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Environmentally aware car buyers will pay a premium of up to 30 per cent for zero emission driving but are divided on accepting compromise on space, performance and utility.

These are the key findings from in depth interviews carried out by Liberty Electric Cars, among visitors to the Eden Project ‘Green’ Car Show.

Sixty-five per cent of respondents said that they would be prepared to pay up to 30 per cent more, for a zero emission electric car which addresses global warming by eliminating car exhaust. However 45 per cent said that they would not be willing to downsize to a small ‘city’ car with less performance, in order to go ‘green’.

Barry Shrier, CEO of Liberty Electric Cars, which is developing the world’s first zero emission electric Range Rover said: “The product development message is clear. As car buyers move to more environmentally-friendly technologies they want the best of both worlds; cars that deliver on performance, safety, functionality and style, without the high cost to the environment.”

Fifty-five per cent expected an electric car to have a driving range greater than 100 miles. The Liberty Electric Range Rover will travel for over 200 miles, or further with its on board generator.

When asked what would be the ‘clean’ fuel of the future, electric power was most people’s first choice.

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 One of the major stumbling blocks stopping drivers from ‘going green’ has been the issue of price – most hybrid and electric cars are simply too expensive for the average motorist. However, according to a recent survey motorists are actually willing to pay up to 30 per cent more in order to take up zero-emission driving.

The findings were discovered during in-depth interviews carried out by Liberty Electric Cars, among visitors at the Eden Project’s Sexy Green Car Show. Incredibly, 65 per cent of those surveyed said they were willing to pay up to 30 per cent more for a zero emission car which is friendly to the environment.

Perhaps a larger barrier to the take-up of electric cars is that car buyers are less willing to compromise on factors such as space, performance and utility. Around 45 per cent of those surveyed said they would not be willing to downsize their vehicle to go green.

The product development message supports Liberty Electric Cars’ ideals – the company is investing £30million in the re-engineering of larger luxury cars and 4x4s into emission free, electric vehicles.

The company is also behind the Liberty Electric Range Rover, which will travel for more than 200 miles – 55 per cent of those surveyed stated that an electric car should have a range of at least 100 miles.

The results of the survey send a stark message to car manufacturers – money isn’t everything to the nation’s environmentally conscious motorists. They simply want designs that don’t compromise the performance they are used to, in order to go green.

What about you? Would you be willing to pay more for a green car? Let us know how much extra you’d be willing to pay by leaving a comment below.

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Ian Hobday, who has a background in international sales and marketing that spans careers with BASF and Arch Chemicals, has joined newly created Liberty Electric Cars as their Global Sales and Marketing Director.

One of his earliest tasks will be to oversee the launch of the world’s first zero emission Range Rover. Liberty Electric Cars Ltd is developing a unique electrical power storage and delivery system, which will give the world’s most famous luxury 4 x 4 the ability to drive cleanly and quietly around roads and cities, free of tax, congestion and parking charges.

Eventually the system should be applied to other vehicles, and made available to commercial fleets and taxis.

Barry Shrier, Liberty founder and CEO says; “We are delighted that Ian has joined us. He brings a wealth of international sales and marketing knowledge. In particular he has first hand experience of bringing new products to market that challenge traditional wisdom. The Liberty Electric Range Rover will be the first electric vehicle that delivers true luxury, style and safety while keeping its environmental credentials intact.”

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