News Archive
Electric Cars Offered By Car Share Company
May 23, 2012
Car share company, Zipcar has confirmed that it is going to offer Vauxhall's award winning electric car, the Ampera, to customers.
The company operates a car sharing club with 1,700 vehicles throughout London. Its reportedly the first of its kind to offer an extended-range electric car for customers.
The Vauxhall Ampera won the European Car of the Year Award 2012 and is equipped to drive for 50 miles without creating any emissions at all. Once the onboard battery is exhausted, the vehicle automatically switches to a petrol generator, powering the electric engine for a further 310 miles. As a result this has made the car one of the most fuel-efficient, cleanest cars in the World.
In spite of this many Zipcar journey tend to be less than 35 miles in length. As a result company officials believe that the vehicle's zero emission 50 mile limit will make the car very popular with it's customers.
Mark Walker, general manager for Zipcar UK commented:
"Thanks to the Ampera's unique technology, on any given day, Zipcar members can be doing multiple short trips using only the stored electric battery power or longer trips powered by electricity generated by the on board range extender. For the first time in an electric vehicle, members need not worry about range or recharging.”
Stewart Gibbs, new business fleet sales manager for Vauxhall also commented:
"With the Ampera, Vauxhall has brought to market the first electric vehicle that can go anywhere anytime. Partnering with an innovative company like Zipcar which is committed to helping the environment is a partnership we're delighted to be involved with."
As electric cars become more affordable and the price of fuel remains high it looks more and more likely that car insurance holders will look to electric or hybrid cars rather than their petrol or diesel powered alternatives.
Source: http://www.electric-vehiclenews.com/2012/05/zipcar-launches-pilot-scheme-with.html