Trends: Brits Show Electric Cars

Britain's NICE Car Co. is a prolific marketer of electric drive vehicles including electric bikes, scooters, low speed vehicles (LSVs), road-capable electric cars, and electric commercial vehicles manufactured by other companies. NICE, an acronym for 'No Internal Combustion Engine,' is constantly introducing new products. The recent British International Motor Show provided yet another opportunity to do so, with the company showed three new EVs - the MyCar, Ze-O, and e500 - along with a concept vehicle.

The company's first product in 2006 was the Mega City, a model available in 2 or 2+2 passenger version featuring a top speed of 40 mph. The latest version has a range of up to 60 miles, with 40 miles typical during city driving, on sealed and maintenance-free AGM lead-acid batteries. It was developed and is built by the AIXAM-MEGA Group in France. The electric city car was designed for London streets where it and other NICE products are exempt from congestion and road taxes, merit low insurance premiums, and qualify for free or reduced parking fees. An optional satellite navigation system includes London's free Park-and-Charge recharging points.

The new NICE MyCar that's slated to go on sale later in 2008 is built in Hong Kong. The Italian-designed, two-seat electric city car is the smallest and least costly of the NICE EVs, It uses a lead-acid deep cycle battery pack for a 40 mile range and top speed of 40 mph.

Also going on sale in this same time frame is the Ze-O, a version of the Chinese-built Changhe Ideal that was styled in Italy by Bertone and introduced in China in 2006. Billed as the world's first affordable 5-seat, 5-door electric car, this model has a top speed of 55 mph and a 65 mile range. In the future, the standard lead-acid batteries will be joined by a lithium-ion battery option for a considerable increase in range.

NICE plans to market a limited edition e500, an electric conversion of the popular Fiat 500. The conversion, done by Micro-Vett in Italy, uses a Kokam lithium-polymer battery pack to deliver a range of 70 miles with a top speed of 60 mph. Micro Vette has a close relationship with Fiat and since its conversion leaves the vehicle structurally undisturbed, the e500 is covered by the full Fiat warranty.

While still a concept car, the Super Light Electric Sports Car would be NICE's most exciting product. NICE has incorporated significant advanced technology in this sports car with a carbon fiber cell, scissor-style doors, and roof panels that lift out of the way along with the doors for easier ingress and egress. Other features include electric braking and steering.

NICE also offers several electric-powered vans and trucks. Currently, it is selling an electric version of the Fiat Dublo Cargo as well as the Mega MultiTruck and Porter Cargo van. Additional models in the works include a Scudo van, Fiorino Cargo panel truck, and Ducato delivery van.

As part of its commitment to zero emissions, NICE has teamed up with the UK's leading renewable energy provider Ecotricity, enabling NICE EV owners to drive exclusively on electricity generated exclusively by wind turbines. To balance the carbon dioxide produced during the manufacturing process it plants trees as part of Trees for Cities.