NICE Ze-O - electric cars
August 4, 2008 Posted by: Lee Sibbald
Described as the first affordable, five-seat, five-door electric car, the NICE Ze-O burst on to the scene in the summer of 2008 aiming to revolutionise the way we think about electric cars. It may have achieved its aim, as the NICE Ze-O makes electric cars practical.
Quick links:
- History of the NICE Ze-O
- Environmental credentials of the NICE Ze-O
- NICE Ze-O statistics
- Future of the NICE Ze-O
History of the NICE Ze-O
The NICE Car Company was founded in July 2006 by former Lotus-colleagues Julian Wilford and Evert Guertsen, making its debut at the British International Motor Show that year with the stylish Mega City, the company’s first car. The establishment of a manufacturer of exclusively electric cars was indicative of changing perceptions within the auto industry. Over the next two years, fuel prices would sky-rocket and electric cars were seen as a long-term solution.
This was reiterated in 2008 when Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced an increase in renewable energy to be supplied to the National Grid, which reflected a WWF report into the benefits of electric cars and how they could reap rewards even now – and more so, when a renewable energy revolution was complete.
At the British International Motor Show in 2008, NICE launched the Ze-O, described as the world’s first family electric car. It claimed to bring all the benefits of electric motoring without compromising on safety, styling or specification. It was launched in the UK in the autumn and in Europe in 2009.
Environmental credentials of the NICE Ze-O
As with any electric vehicle, the main advantage of the NICE Ze-O is that it is emission-free. Many environmentalists question this claim from electric vehicle manufacturers as the electric power does not necessarily come from renewable sources and therefore the emissions from the electricity generated to run the vehicle are simply displaced. However, studies have shown that electric cars can help the environment even with the current energy mix and this will only improve as the National Grid is increasingly sourced by renewable energy.
The NICE Ze-O will appeal to a market for which electric cars were previously unattainable. As an MPV it is large, capable of transporting the whole family and yet boasts remarkable running costs of just a few pence per mile – that’s a fraction of the cost of the equivalent diesel or petrol model.
As a further financial incentive for motorists to go green, the NICE Ze-O is exempt from both vehicle excise duty and road congestion charges.
NICE Ze-O statistics
Here are some crucial statistics about the NICE Ze-O:
- Charge time: 8-10hrs.
- CO2 emissions: None.
- Engine: Maintenance-free AGM lead acid battery.
- Insurance Group: TBC.
- Kerb weight: TBC.
- Range: 40miles.
- Top speed: 55mph.
- Transmission: Manual (automatic optional).
Future of the NICE Ze-O
Lithium-ion batteries are expected to be implemented in the NICE Ze-O in the near future. This will extend the range of the vehicle and allow for faster recharging times. For the latest information, check back at TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk.
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