This year’s British Motor Show will feature an `Electric Vehicle Village`, where the latest battery-powered models will be on display to the public. The Village, which will showcase more than 20 current and future electric vehicles, will include models from manufacturers such as G-Wiz, Nice Car Company, Quiet Cars, Telsa, Smart and Nissan. Elektromotive will also be demonstrating their Elektrobays, which have recently been appearing in boroughs across the capital.

Kirsty Perkinson, Motor Show Marketing Director, said: "We are really excited about our new Electric Vehicle Village. The aim of the feature is to highlight the significant advances made in developing zero-emissions vehicles and to reflect the mushrooming demand for these cars. Vehicle manufacturers are pushing the engineering boundaries to produce cleaner and greener forms of transport, and consumers – particularly in London – are responding positively to the new technology."

The Electric Vehicle Village will be part of the `Greener Driving Pavilion`, a dedicated environmentally-themed exhibition, which will provide a showcase for environmental innovations, carbon-cutting technologies and greener travel options.

The Pavilion is being set up in association with the government’s `ACT ON CO2` campaign, and will be sponsored by the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership, who will hold their annual conference at the event on the 23rd July. Keynote speakers will include the transport secretary, Ruth Kelly, and Professor Julia King, author of the King Review of low carbon cars.

The conference will also include opportunities to hear from researchers in the low carbon transport field who will speak on a range of topics including, public attitudes to transport related emissions, the effectiveness of greener car advertising, and the `fuel economy paradox`.

The Motor Show will be held between the 23rd July and the 3rd August 2008 at the ExCel arena in London.

Sources:British Motor Show press release, LowCVP

London based newspaper distribution company, Menzies, is trialling the Modec zero-emissions vehicle, with a view to introducing electric vehicles (EVs) in to its 500-strong commercial fleet.

Stuart McLean, Logistics Manager at Menzies, explains: "We want to be at the forefront of learning about this new technology and the Modec allows us to experiment with operating an electric zero-emission vehicle in the heart of central London. It’s the perfect environment to really put the Modec through its paces, whilst enjoying a range of additional benefits."

On full-charge (overnight) the Modec can cover over 100 miles, and can accelerate up to a governed maximum speed of 50 mph while carrying a payload of two tonnes. It also incurs zero congestion charge, zero road tax and zero operator license; providing a cost-effective solution to today’s system of carbon-based taxation.

While there are clearly financial incentives for Menzies, there is also a willingness to ensure the company takes full advantage of the opportunities provided for emissions reductions. McLean comments: "To support its arrival in the fleet we are assessing the feasibility of installing a photovoltaic recharging system at our depot, which will allow us to provide much of the electrical power needed for the vehicle through solar energy."

The company follows in the footsteps of other organisations, such as Islington borough council, who are already utilising EV technology in a bid to reduce the environmental impact of their activities.