Electric Cars

We are aiming to become the definitive online authority on everything to do with electric vehicles and the technology surrounding them. We will be reviewing all the latest upcoming launches from all the major brands involved.

We welcome business proposals from electric car companies from the UK and abroad. Whether you are an electric vehicle manufacturer, involved with the charging infrastructure or electric car insurance, if you feel we can be of help in showcasing your products and services please do drop us a line.

We have recently added our new electric car videos section, we have a great video of the Audi e-Tron concept car that should be going into production shortly, check it out, it’s an amazing car. There is also a video of David Coulthard driving the new Mercedes Benz SLS AMG E-Cell electric supercar.

The time is right to adopt a greener form of transportation and we strongly believe that electric cars are the way forward for motoring in the 21st century. We will be listing our favourite green electric vehicles and adding reviews of the latest models to roll off the production lines. Stay tuned and watch this space!

Rather than being fuelled by diesel or petrol, the electric car is powered exclusively by electricity. The previous lack of popularity for electric vehicles was primarily  because of the limited driving range before needing to be recharged as well as the length of time it then took to re-charge the battery. In the past, car manufacturers showed a distinct lack of commitment to producing and marketing electric cars on a par with the more comfortable petrol powered vehicles of today. However, times are changing, and with battery technology improving and thereby increasing energy storage and reducing costs, major car makers are now expected to establish an entirely new generation of electric cars.

In 1834, American inventor Thomas Davenport developed a battery-powered electric motor which he then used  to operate a small model car. By using the newly invented but non-rechargeable electric cells or batteries, his invention went on to pave the way for the later electrification of road vehicles. Some years later Frenchmen Gaston Plante and Camille Faure each had a part to play in the improvement of storage batteries. Increasing the capacity storage of the batteries was the way forward for electric cars to become a more practical alternative.

Electric Cars

Increased concern over the environmental impact of petrol run transportation, electric cars offer a clean and green alternative. Powered by electricity that is stored in a battery, the engine creates no tailpipe exhaust or other harmful greenhouse gases and thereby providing significantly less pollution into the air. It is thought there are currently 1700 electric vehicles being used in London and paired with the advantage of another 1300 public charge points situated across London by 2013 the number of electric cars could rise dramatically to 100,000, or in other words five per cent of the capital’s fleet. From 1st January 2011, a £5,000 government subsidy was launched to encourage people to buy electric or plug-in hybrid cars. As well as being exempt from the congestion charge there are some boroughs where parking is charged at a discounted rate.

Although the price of electric cars is falling, they still remain relatively more expensive than conventional cars. Some such as the Nissan LEAF are priced around £25,000, however, the new Plug-in Car Grant worth up to £5,000 on selected new models can now make it a more cheaper and viable option. Fleets as well as private car buyers can benefit from the grant, which is administered by the Office for Low Emission Vehicles. There are no  applications forms required as the dealership completes all the necessary paperwork on the buyer’s behalf. The grant is then automatically deducted from the vehicle price at the time of purchase.

The year 2011 promises to be an exciting one as far as electric cars are concerned with several new models due to be launched. The fact that a number of major car manufacturers are on the verge of launching high quality, fully electric models onto the UK market, buying an electric car is now a real and valid option for the general public.