Following the sucess of NICE's first car, the MEGA City, the company are now back with two new electric vehicles, both due to go on sale in the UK in the autumn of 2008.

'MyCar' is a small Italian-styled urban car, with what NICE claim to be a sense of `urban cool`. With all the benefits of zero-emissions, no Congestion Charge, free road tax and free parking in many locations, NICE's MyCar is set to provide stiff opposition to the already prevalent G-Wiz.

Styled by the Giugiaro design studio and built in Hong Kong, MyCar can do 40mph, and between 40-60 miles between recharges, with a recharge taking between six to eight hours. Running costs are very low, roughly one fifteenth compared to a conventional petrol or diesel model. Depending on electricity tariff used to charge the vehicle, owners will pay around 2p per mile.

Standard equipment for MyCar includes electric windows and mirrors, Radio/MP3 player, 14" Alloy wheels, remote central locking, Hi/lo and boost button and LCD multifunction display. It also has storage space under the bonnet, in the boot and in the glove compartment. Options include a glass roof or removable fiberglass version. MyCar can also be specified with 15" Alloy wheels, leather interior, cooled and heated seats and a boot rack.

Two innovative features are work `n` play and drive `n` play options. The first incorporates a forward-folding passenger seat complete with laptop dock, the latter includes bluetooth, sat-nav and upgraded audio.

The car, which is actually classed as a quadricycle, is made of fibreglass reinforced plastic on a steel tubular spaceframe with tubular roll-bar. It has disc brakes and independent front and rear suspension.

Prices start from £8,995 and the car comes with a two-year warranty.

Like MyCar, the 'Ze-O' is European styled and developed, and built in China. NICE claim that it is the world's first affordable, 5-door family electric car. The entry level model will have a range of up to 65 miles in city driving and top speed of 55 mph. Optional, longer-range lithium-ion battery options will also be available. The car has no direct emissions, will be exempt from road tax and the congestion charge, and also boasts running costs of just a few pence per mile. A full charge of the car's batteries takes between 6-8 hours using a regular household power outlet.

"All-electric sports car prototypes are eye-catching and interesting," said Julian Wilford, "However, we all know customers want practical electric cars and they want them sooner rather than later. The Ze-O is a genuinely spacious and affordable car; it’s coming to the UK this Autumn and to the rest of Europe during 2009. We expect to be very busy at the motor show."

The Ze-0 brings all the benefits of electric motoring in an MPV and costs from as little as £13,995. It’s an all-electric family car for a family budget.

More details of both of NICE's new models can be found on our Electric Cars & Vans page.

Visitors to this year’s British International Motor Show can find a wide range of attractions promoting the ‘greener’ side of motoring and a dedicated area showing the latest electric vehicles.

The `Greener Driving Pavilion` runs in association with the government's ACT ON CO2 campaign, and is a first at The British International Motor Show. The Pavilion features interactive displays, vehicle cutaways, simulators, and a range of exciting new environmental automotive technologies, including fuel cells, hybrids and battery powered models.

There are a number of new, eco-focused debuts, including several alternative-fuel cars; interactive exhibits which demonstrate futuristic technologies; and a host of concept cars and design studies which indicate some of the motor industry’s plans to facilitate ever-cleaner motoring.

The ‘Electric Vehicle Village’, dedicated to showcasing the latest electric models, brings together one of the largest collections of zero-emissions vehicles ever seen in the UK, with a display of more than 20 cars and vans propelled solely by electricity.

Vehicles include an updated version of the well-known G-Wiz, models from new brand Quiet Cars, vehicles from Norwegian company TH!NK, and even the Tesla Roadster – a two-seat electric sports car – as well as future-focused concept models.

On the NICE Car Company stand, two all-electric vehicles receive global debuts. The all-new Ze-O is an MPV which, NICE says, is the “the world’s first affordable, five-door electric car", and is joined at the Show by an Italian-styled two-seater, called MyCar. The all-electric Aixam Mega City is revealed for the first time in four-seat guise, and is accompanied by a newly-facelifted version of the two-seat model. The Mega Multitruck, an electric ultra-light commercial vehicle, is also at the Show.

The UK’s first electric taxi produced by Allied Vehicles is in the Electric Vehicle Village. The taxi produces no carbon, particulates or other pollutant emissions, and boasts a range of up to 100 miles from a single charge and a top speed of 60mph.

Piaggio exhibits its electric Porter van also, displaying it within the WhatVan? Live area.

British firm The Lightning Car Company shows its striking, all-electric sportscar, the Lightning GT, for the first time. The car accelerates from 0-60mph in four seconds and can travel up to 200 miles on a single battery charge.

Smart shows its ‘ed’ (electric drive) car to UK motorists for the first time. The car is to be trialled by a number of fleet customers, to provide Smart with real-world feedback on battery life and performance.

The Cadillac Provoq recieves its UK debut. A crossover SUV, the Provoq uses a fuel cell system and a lithium-ion battery to produce an electrically driven vehicle that uses no petroleum and has no emissions other than water.

In all, the show will feature over 60 vehicle marques and 600 new cars, a significant proportion of which will boast `green` credentials. The Show will include a host of interactive features to keep crowds entertained, including: The Heritage Enclosure and Parade, showcasing supercars from the last five decades; the Kidz Car Zone; a Drift School, giving visitors the chance to be driven sideways around a demanding circuit by professional drivers; The Autoglym Supercar Paddock, a high-octane collection of luxury marques; The 4x4 Experience, a challenging terrain for testing the best of the off-road pack; a thrilling live-action stunt show; and a live music festival with bands including Blondie and Meat Loaf.

Also at the Show will be British Marine Federation’s `Marine Experience` bringing a little glamour with a line-up of luxury craft and a programme of on-water entertainment. On show will be Earthrace, the wave-piercing trimaran, following her attempted record breaking circumnavigation of the globe. The boat runs on 100% biodiesel, and is promoting the use of greener fuel in the boating industry.

Around 500,000 people are expected to attend the show, which runs until Sunday 3rd August. Tickets start at just £10 for an adult weekday pass and £6 for a child, and are available through the Show’s website at British Motor Show or by calling 0871 230 5588.

The govt's Renewable Energy Strategy consultation signals a greater role for EVs in helping the UK meet current targets of 10% of transport energy from renewables by 2020.

While current estimates suggest that vehicles powered by a standard mix of electricity from the grid create large emissions savings when compared to conventional petrol or diesel models, EVs have in the past been somewhat overlooked as a means by which the government can meet short-term targets.

However, following recent private sector commitments to invest £100bn in renewable energy production and in the context of increasing concern over the sustainability of biofuels, the potential for EVs to contribute to energy consumption targets is now a more feasible option for the government.

The consultation statement draws on recommendations outlined in the King Review of Low-Carbon Cars, which highlighted the potential for the electrification of road vehicles in the form of plug-in hybrids and battery electric models, and the need for the de-carbonisation of the UK electricity network to support market growth. There are also some perceived benefits in relation to the electricity network, which take the form of a smoothing of power demand leading to greater efficiency, and the mitigation of problems arising from the intermittency of renewable energy production.

The government says it is interested in examining how the growth of EVs in the UK and the development of a suitable charging infrastructure could be accelerated. The statement notes the importance of achieving `quality, performance and utility` in the electric vehicle market in order to increase consumer demand, and acknowledges the commitment of manufacturers to develop new models over the coming years.

The government consultation precedes the publication of the Gallagher Review of the Indirect Impact of Biofuels Production, and states: `Gallagher's findings will be important to the development of the government's biofuel policies and targets`. Government policy in relation to EVs will also be heavily influenced by the review. At present biofuels are the central part of Labour's green agenda, yet it is likely that Gordon Brown will be forced to rethink scheduled incremental rises to the UK's Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation. Such a shift will mean that the government will be forced to consider more seriously than ever before the potential for EV technology to contribute to meeting carbon reduction targets.

This said, the feasibility of EVs in this respect still hangs in the balance. If they are to play a part, agreement will first need to be reached with the EU allowing renewable energy used to drive the vehicles to count towards UK transport targets, as opposed to the 15% renewable energy production target which would currently benefit.

The City of London`s scheme allowing electric cars access to free parking within the borough is to be withdrawn as of the end of 2008. According to a spokesperson, the scheme, introduced in 2001, has been too successful in encouraging people to drive EVs, which are now contributing to increased congestion.

A statement from the borough`s press office reads: "There is nothing green about driving in central London, any car electric or otherwise causes congestion...The free parking provision has encouraged additional car commuting to the City with people transferring to driving cars instead of using public transport (particularly the London Underground) or walking or cycling."

As at the 22nd November 2007, the borough indicated they had issued 496 free on-street parking permits and 539 free season tickets for its off-street public car parks. However, a spokesperson from the borough said the degree of overlap is likely to be very high and that the total number of cars issued with permits is unlikely to greatly exceed 539. Furthermore, this figure includes renewals of permits over the period of the trial, so it is likely that the number of electric cars currently included in the scheme is small in comparison.

The council sees the borough`s 13 tube stations, 7 tube lines, 7 mainline stations and 39 high frequency bus routes, as the green alternative to driving into the City, and in the context of an ever expanding workforce, it hopes to encourage more people to use these services.

According to the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) however, to switch from an electric car (powered by renewable energy) to public transport would actually increase a commuter`s carbon footprint. A spokesperson for ETA questioned the rationale behind the decision: "The logic appears a little skewed as removing this benefit is as likely to push people onto public transport, which is more polluting, as encourage commuters to walk or cycle. The only certainty is that the council`s revenue from parking will increase as a result of this change in policy."

From 2009, electric car owners who currently hold free passes will have to pay £2,000 for their annual carpark permit if they wish to continue driving into the City. In 2010 this will become £4,000 and from 2011 electric car owners will have to pay standard rates, which range from £1,066 (Minories and White's Row car parks) to £1,599 (London Wall car park).