Elettrica

When some of the leading brains from Britain, Italy and Japan combine to produce a vehicle you expect something special – and the Elettrica certainly fits the bill. It is the first production electric car in the UK with the option of a lithium power supply and can claim almost twice the range of most electric vehicles.

History of the Elettrica

The Elettrica combines Italian style and design with Japanese engineering and British electronics. It was first launched in the UK in September 2007 after proving it had a range of at least 50 miles by travelling from London to Brighton without a single recharge.

Since then the Elettrica has continued to make a name for itself through its outstanding features such as the batteries that are made from aircraft-grade lithium-cobalt. Despite the 50 mile target of the London-Brighton pursuit, the Elettrica is actually capable of a 70mile range with a top speed of 45mph. Its range is almost twice that of many electric vehicles on the market, mainly assisted by the lithium-ion batteries which have a much longer life than most lead batteries.

In addition, the car includes an aluminium safety cage, disc brakes, front and rear impact bars and has even undergone front and side crash-testing – meaning its safety features go above and beyond EU requirements.

Environmental credentials of the Elettrica

As with all electric cars, the Elettrica is emission free – producing no carbon dioxide (CO2) or nitrogen oxides. Of course to be truly carbon neutral the vehicle’s power supply would have to come from a renewable energy source. However, even with non-renewable energy sources taken into account the Elettrica’s emissions are still far below those of a conventional car and will only improve as more renewable energy sources are incorporated into the National Grid.

Furthermore, the lithium-ion batteries used within the Elettrica are far more environmentally friendly than lead alternatives as they are safer to dispose.

This vehicle will clearly appeal to city dwellers who are unaffected by the low top speed but will enjoy the substantial range the car offers. There are financial incentives to pick up a green car in the mould of the Elettrica too, as it is exempt from both the London Congestion Charge and vehicle excise duty.

Elettrica statistics

Here are some crucial statistics about the Elettrica:

• Charge time: Five hours.
• CO2 emissions: None.
• Range: 65 miles.
• Top speed: 45mph.
• Transmission: Automatic.

Future of the Elettrica

There are no plans at present for a second Elettrica model to be released in the UK but stay tuned to TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk and we’ll inform you of any developments as they reach us in our news section.