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Zero Emission Vehicles - Electric Cars

ZEV’s (this will eventually also include hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles), are beginning to gather momentum and will play a vital role in significantly reducing vehicle CO2 emissions. Bridgegreen want to be at the forefront of bringing this exciting technology to a wider audience.

Until quite recently the electric vehicle market was more or less limited to specialist vehicles such as milk floats and on-site handling equipment for factories and airports, for example. In the 1990’s manufacturers such as General Motors spent heavily on developing state of the art electric vehicles and even ran pilot leasing programmes for relatively large numbers of cars. However the relatively low and stable oil price meant that interest waned and R&D was scaled right back.

We are seeing increasing concern about climate change and a general acceptance that the world is experiencing a peaking of its oil production (half of the planet’s reserves have been used up leaving reserves which are much more expensive and less efficient to exploit). Peak Oil is a subject which is likely to get very much media coverage over the next few years. Compounding this, conflict in the Middle East and concerns about energy security and the seemingly unquenchable thirst that China is developing for all forms of natural resources, mean that oil prices have been on a rapid upward trajectory for the past two years with many analysts predicting that this will continue in the long term.

Interest in ZEV’s has been growing and it is entirely possible that these vehicles could evenetually represent a substantial proportion of the total vehicle market. The bulk of driving in the developed world is urban, the distances travelled tend to be low, and average speeds in cities are so low (in London it is 14 mile per hour) that the opportunity for electric vehicles is immense. Criticism of electric vehicles has focussed on their speed, range and lack of electrical storage capacity. In urban driving conditions this is not a serious concern. Advances in battery technology, such as the adoption of Lithium Ion batteries, are meaning that vehicles will be lighter and have a much improved range.

Currently there are a limited number of electric cars available in the UK (there are more in the United States). The majority of these are micro-cars such as the Microcar MC2 ZENN. Introductions have accelerated recently and a significant amount of research currently being undertaken is likely to lead to many more products.

With Congestion Charging, the financial logic (electric vehicles are exempt from the daily charge, as well as the Road Fund Licence), as well as the environmental benefits, means that electric vehicles are becoming a serious contender. A number of London Boroughs are installing electric charging points so that vehicles can be charged whilst their drivers are at work.

Many regional cities are considering their own congestion charging schemes and this is likely to greatly increase interest. From an environmental point of view, whilst there are no ‘tailpipe’ pollutants (such as NOX and particulates), maximum potential is only achieved when the vehicles are charged using electricity from renewable sources.

As well as being passionate about the environment we are also committed to great customer service. We make the whole process simple for our customers:

	We’ll listen to your requirements carefully
	We’ll advise you on the most appropriate method of funding to suit your particular circumstances
	We’ll give you helpful and impartial advice on the most suitable choice of vehicle
	We’ll locate your vehicle of choice for you (we have an extensive network of dealers across the UK)
	We’ll handle all of the liaison with the dealer
	We’ll arrange all aspects of the financing of the vehicle
	We’ll keep you regularly updated on delivery dates, etc
	We’ll arrange delivery to a specified location of your choosing
	We’re always available to answer any queries you may have and we’re committed to working with you for the long term

Bridgegreen can finance the majority of the electric cars currently available on the UK market. We’d urge all businesses to consider this interesting technology. Indeed some are currently considering electric pool car fleets. If you are interested in learning more then please contact us.

Aixan Mega City Electric Car

Microcar MC2 ZENN Electric Car

G-Wiz Electric Car

Smart ForTwo Electric Conversion

QPOd City Electric

Sakura Maranello Electric Car