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NICE MEGA City

Described as the new face of the electric vehicle, the NICE MEGA City was the first release from the NICE Car Company with the aim of making life easier and helping the environment.

History of the NICE MEGA City

The MEGA City actually represents collaboration between the NICE Car Company and French car manufacturer Aixam-Mega. The French company was founded in 1983 to make cars after the failure of the company previously occupying the Arola factory.

In 1992, it launched a range of vehicles under the Mega brand but by 2002 its name was applied to only diesel and electric versions of microvans and light utility vehicles. In Britain, due to their weight and output, they are classified as quadricycles rather than cars.

In 2006, the NICE Car Company was born and the two manufacturers combined to launch the first vehicle under the NICE name – the MEGA City. The car’s aim was to satisfy increasing demand for low emission city cars that were exempt from congestion charges and could offer numerous environmental benefits.

Environmental credentials of the NICE MEGA City

As with any electric car, the NICE MEGA City has no exhaust and zero emissions. However, there has been some debate as to how environmentally friendly electric cars truly are given the fact that they are powered by electricity and that energy has to come from somewhere – much of the energy supplied to the National Grid is from non-renewable sources.

However, studies have shown that even if you classify the carbon dioxide (CO2) produced in supplying electricity to the mains socket, the NICE MEGA City still produces lower emissions than any conventional engine. Furthermore, you can choose to offset the CO2 that has been produced through a carbon offset scheme to ensure 100 per cent neutrality.

The environmental credentials don’t end there, as the NICE MEGA City is also made from 100 per cent recyclable thermo-plastic. There are many financial incentives to driving a car of this nature, including the fact that it is exempt from both the London Congestion Charge and vehicle excise duty.

Choose from the Micro City e-city Pro (commercial vehicle), the Micro City 2 (2 seater) and the Micro City 2+2 (4 seater).

NICE MEGA City statistics

Here are some crucial statistics about the NICE MEGA City:

Charge time: 5-8hrs.
CO2 emissions: None.
Engine: Electric DC. Batteries are maintenance-free sealed lead.
MPG: 1.5p/mile.
Range: up to 60 miles.
Top speed: 40mph.
Transmission: Automatic.

Future of the NICE MEGA City

There are no plans immediately available about future NICE MEGA City models although a natural progression would be the incorporation of lithium-ion batteries into the design extending the range and top speed. When details become available, we’ll have them here at TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk.

Author: Lee Sibbald, August 4, 2008

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