Renault Twizy ZE (Zero Emissions) - Electric 2 seater

Renault Twizy

Renault have a vision of the future, and we've all seen concept cars similar to the Twizy before, but this one is being made! It has a tall, narrow stance, open sides and seats two people, but will the Twizy start a trend towards this type of commuter mobility vehicle that combine the safety and confidence of a car with the convenience and cost of a scooter?

Fitted with a 17bhp electric motor, which should give a top speed of around 50mph, and frisky linear acceleration, that comes with an electric motor. Charging the battery – which takes around three and a half hours – gives a range of up to 62 miles, and its low weight and centre of gravity promise safe, stable cornering.

Both models – £6,690 for the Urban and the £7,400 Technic – have as standard equipment, an immobilizer, driver’s airbag, a four-point seatbelt for the driver and a three-point seatbelt for the passenger. The more expensive Technic version gains alloy wheels, metallic paint & half doors to reduce the spray coming into the cabin space! Bluetooth connectivity and rear parking sensors are optional.  A huge range of colours and 'fun' graphics are available to help customers personalise their Twizy.

In addition to the purchase price, Renault will charge you for the lease of the batteries - £40 per month over a period of 36 months. The idea being that Renault owns the expensive batteries so the owner of the vehicle doesn’t need to worry about their replacement or the prospect of a scrap vehicle if they fail.

Due to hit the roads in spring 2012, a £20 deposit can be paid now to reserve your Twizy via www.renault-ze.com 

Sim-Lei - Electric Car

The Sim-Lei has an extremely efficient body design

With its 24.9 kWh lithium-ion batteries made by Toshiba, the SIM-LEI achieves a travelling distance of 333km on a single battery charge in the Japanese JC08 testing mode (simulating mainly city driving) as well as 305km at a constant 100km/h cruising. When compared to the Nissan Leaf electric car that has a range of 200km in JC08 mode with its 24kWh battery, the SIM-LEI’s energy efficiency is about 1.5 times better than the Leaf. Impressive if....errrmmm weird looking.

Ford Fusion Hybrid

Name: Ford Fusion Hybrid 
Manufacturer: Ford
Sold in: North America
Engine: 2,500 cc
Fuel efficiency: Average: 41/36 mpg (City/Hway)
Fuel: Regular Unleaded/Electricity

Honda Insight Hybrid Petrol/Electric

Name: Honda Insight (last produced 2006)
Manufacturer: Honda  
Engine: 995 cc
Fuel efficiency: Average: 61-68 mpg. (manual)
Average range: about 700 miles (manual).
Fuel: Regular Unleaded/Electricity

Honda FC - Hydrogen Electric Sports Car

Honda's vision for Hydrogen power - the FC Sport

Paint it black with red pinstriping and imagine Batman stepping out!

Actually it's more likely some paunchy balding middle-age bloke with a fat wallet and a superiority complex, will tumble out, hopefully into the path of an oncoming bus! (Is the bitterness showing through?)

At the 2008 Los Angeles Motor Show, Honda unveiled their take on an alternative energy supercar. The sports-minded FC Sport  is powered by Honda's V-Flow  hydrogen fuel cell stack, already being utilised in the FCX Clarity, coupled with a high-performance electric power-train this striking light-weight Hydrogen muscle-mobile has been packaged to give a very low centre of gravity.

Configured with 3 seats, the driver sits front and centre (a-la Mclaren F1), with the two passengers enjoying an entertaining and clear view to the sides and behind the driver.

With Honda’s racing pedigree, this could prove to give traditional petrol/diesel consuming sport cars a run . Currently a prototype, don’t expect a release for some time.

Yeah....black would probably make your bum look a little less errr......less