September 18, 2006. Copyright, 2006, Graphic News. All rights reserved

City EVs -- Golf carts gone wild

LONDON, September 18, Graphic News:  Two years ago, the G-Wiz electric vehicle sold by GoinGreen was a rare sight on BritainÕs roads. Today, the little plastic box on wheels can be seen parked alongside Jaguars and Mercedes in central London.

Designed in California and built in Bangalore, India, the G-Wiz AC has a top speed of 40mph (64km/h) and costs just 30p (0.44 euro, 56¢) to charge its battery which powers it for 40 miles (64km).

The popularity of the City EV is because it is exempt from LondonÕs Congestion Charge -- the hefty £8 (11.88 euro, $15) daily tax for entry into the cityÕs heart, introduced by Mayor Ken Livingstone in February 2003.

Londoners now have a choice of EVs, with three others competing with the G-Wiz in the zero-emissions market.

The French-made NICE (No Internal Combustion Engine) Mega City fibreglass two-seater, has a top speed of 40mph (64km/h), and a range of up to 50 miles (80km). The Mega City -- which goes on sale in January -- uses a gel rather than liquid acid in its power pack, removing the need to top up with distilled water, as G-Wiz owners must occasionally do.

Zenn EV (Zero emission, no noise) is an electric vehicle currently in production in the United States and built by Feel Good Cars. It has a range of up to 35 miles (56km) and does not exceed 25mph (40km/h).

The more stylish Maranello4 is manufactured in Italy by the EFFIDI Automotive Group, and marketed in the UK by London-based Sakura Battery Company. The car has a top speed of 30mph (48km/h) and a range of around 45 miles (72km) on a single charge.

All four car makers extol the savings of going electric. While gas-guzzlers enjoy air-conditioned luxury at a cost to the planet, they point out that their City EVs are emission free. Even when pollution generated at the power station is included, the emissions impact is about 75% less than a petrol-powered car.

With all the cars costing less than £10,000 (14,850 euro, $18,780) they are touted as paying for themselves within a year.

Electricity costs are just 1.3p per mile (0.001 euro per mile, 2.4¢ per mile), giving a yearÕs driving for about £50 (74 euro, $94) -- the price of a tank of petrol in Britain. As well as being exempt from the Congestion Charge (about £2,000/year, 2,970 euro, $3,750) they are also free from road tax (£170/year, 252 euro, $319), and qualify for Group 1 insurance (fully comprehensive in London is about £300/year, 445 euro, $563), and have 100% tax write down for business in the first year.

In addition, they enjoy free parking on meters and pay & display bays in Westminster and the City, as well as 96% discount on central London MasterPark season tickets (just £200/year, 297 euro, $376 -- a saving of about £6,000/year, 8,910 euro, $11,270), plus access to 52 free charging points.

Because the average London commuter trip is 10 miles (16km) or less, and the average speed is less than 22mph (35km/h), the lack of pace of these oddball vehicles is rarely a problem. For those willing to drive into the capital without air-con, climate control, satellite navigation and other gizmos, these City EVs are winning hearts and minds in BritainÕs congested capital.
/ENDS