Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles use a battery and electric
motor to power the vehicle so have no emissions at the point of use
and are extremely quiet. Due to the capacity of the
battery, their range is limited (usually to 60 miles or less)
between recharges and as a result they are better suited for use as
city-based cars and vans.
Common uses include pool cars, delivery and
courier cars, motorcycles, service vehicles in airports and
sensitive areas, for example,childcare centres and
hospitals. Electric vehicles produce no tailpipe carbon
dioxide emissions, however, at the point of production of the
electricity, i.e. in the powerstation, there will be emissions to
air in most cases, unless the electricity is produced by a
renewable source such as wind power or hydroelectric
power.
Power shift grants are also available from the
Energy Savings Trust to pay for the extra costs of purchasing
certain new electric vehicles, listed on the register.
Electric vehicles qualify for 100% discount from the congestion
charge, and are not subject to vehicle excise duty.
Electric Hybrids
Hybrid vehicles are powered by a combination
of petrol/ diesel and electricity. They have a petrol engine and an
electric motor powered by an energy storage device such as a
battery pack. All hybrids use regenerative braking, which means
that energy is put back into thebattery when braking. Hybrid
technologies improve fuel efficiency and therefore provide
considerable emissions reductions and fuel savings compared to a
normal petrol vehicle. For example, the fuel consumption of a
Toyota Priushybrid is 60.8 mpg (miles per gallon), and a Honda
Civic IMA is 52 mpg in town and 54.5 mpg on longer journeys;
compared to 30 mpg for some conventional petrol cars.Power shift
grants are also available from the Energy Savings Trust to pay for
the extra costs of purchasing certain new electric hybrid vehicles,
listed on the register. Electric vehicles qualify for 100 %
discount from thecongestion charge, and reduced vehicle excise
duty.
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