Welsh companies voted two of the greenest motoring innovators
publication date: Feb 19, 2009
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author/source: Robin Roberts
| Two Welsh-based companies have been voted among the
greenest motoring innovators. Connaught Engineering, of Llanelli, took third place in a public vote recorded by TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk and they were followed by Stevens Vehicles, of Port Talbot. Top with the green conscious car lovers was the Streetcar scheme which shares vehicles among members. It has around 50,000 members using over 700 locations in 7 UK cities. Streetcar is now the largest car clubs in the UK and the fastest growing in the world. On the face of their success, is an innovative approach to the use of cars, creating a win-win situation for motorists and the environment. It is estimated that Streetcar has already replace 12,000 cars privately owned cars. Streetcar also report that the average cost per annum of owning a car used for two representative trips per week is £2,749 according to AA figures, whereas it is only £707 if using Streetcar- a massive saving of £2.042! It then comes with little surprise that Streetcar should storm the poll and win with 32 per cent of the vote. Liberty Electric Cars came in second place with 27 per cent. Achieving fame in 2008 for their adapted Range Rover turned electric car. The company, based in Oxford, is focused on re-engineering of large luxury cars and 4 x 4's into emission-free, high performance electric vehicles. In August last year, Liberty Electric Cars formed the ‘Zero Emission Vehicle Foundation' tailored to attract funds and investment into the development of new technologies to support electric vehicles. | |
| Connaught Engineering who
came in third place with 16 per cent of the vote, are recognised for the
development of their HYBRID+ system, the world's first commercially available
retro-fit hybrid system. This unique technology was tested in a government
approved emissions facility at Millbrook, in Bedfordshire in October of last
year and is now available to buy from £2750.00 + VAT. Connaught say that their technology will not affect the original manufacturer's warranty while recent urban consumption tests are showing fuel economy improvements of greater than 20 per cent through the use of their system.The HYBRID+ can be simply retro-fitted to existing vehicles. It uses compact supercapacitors rather than large batteries meaning that it does not have the have environmental problems associated with batteries when they are exhausted. |  |
| The technology
also makes full use of regenerative braking technology to reduce emissions.
It is intended to use the HYBRID+ in a new sports car (unveiled above) which will go into production in Wales next year. Stevens has started producing their electric cars and vans (right) and already exported their first model to the Falklands. It is having others tested by companies in the UK before orders are placed. |  |
| "We believe green car
technology and ideas really came a long way in 2008 and although a slowing
economy may make it more difficult for manufacturers and other businesses to
retain the pace through 2009, I think it is a case of no-turning back now. "The market for greener motoring ideas is established and there will always be brilliant companies like those featured in our poll that will break through with their developments", says TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk's editor, Faye Sunderland (right). |  |