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The first all-electric
Fiat 500 has made its world debut at the British Motor
Show in London this week as the NICE Car Company gauges interest for this
limited-edition Micro-Vett conversion of the iconic small car from discerning
show-goers. In fact for the new company it is one of three world debuts, two concepts in the electric vehicle village, and ambitious
growth plans; that’s the promise from electric-vehicle company NICE.
The e500 uses
the latest lithium-polymer battery technology, unlike many
of the other cars at the motor show; it has a top speed of
60 mph, a range of 70 miles and a recharge time of 6-8
hours. NICE told Italiaspeed at the show that it
initially plans to lease the car to private individuals and
businesses priced at around £500 per month and has received
plenty of interest already. By converting the Car of the
Year 2008 award winning Fiat 500, which is Europe's most
talked about new car this year, they hope to cash in on its
fashionable image.
Launched two
years ago in London, NICE is back with a bang – or as loud a
bang as an all-electric vehicle company can make. For, as well as being emissions-free, exempt from the London congestion charge
and with running costs of a few pence per mile per mile, all NICE electric
vehicles are quiet. Very quiet. It’s just another reason why government, opinion
formers and customers are increasingly turning to all-electric motoring.
Other electric
Fiat conversion sold by NICE Car Company
The e500 isn't
the only electric Fiat being shown at the ExCeL Centre in
London this week, as, converted by NICE’s Italian partner,
Micro-Vett, the Doblò Electric is on show in the "electric
car village" alongside cars such as the G-Whiz and Nice Ze-O.
The Doblò Electric recently won the Turin stage of the 2008
Monte Carlo Rally for alternatively-fuelled vehicles.
Travelling 140 km and in hill-climbs of up to 3,000m, the
Doblò finished ahead of all other electric entries and
proved to have the longest driving range of currently
commercially available electric cars.
This electric
van is aimed at a wide variety of commercial users with
Cargo, Combi and High Roof options. Developed by Micro-Vett,
Europe’s leading electric vehicle specialist, the electric
Doblo is available in full UK specification with all
standard options and the backing of a full Fiat warranty.
Lithium ion batteries power the vehicle to a top speed of 75
mph with a typical range of 95 miles.
Joining the
range shortly will be the Fiorino Cargo. Combining the
compact practicality and latest design features of the new
award-winning Fiorino van with the most affordable, full
function electric drive system yet. Developed by Micro-Vett,
Fiorino is available in full UK specification with all
standard options and the backing of a full Fiat warranty.
Range is up to 65 miles with top speed of 60 mph. Prices to
be confirmed in the near future.
This will be
followed by an electric version of the people carrying
Fiorino option. Compact on the outside, spacious on the
inside, the Fiorino MPV will be available from late 2008.
This versatile vehicle accommodates up to five passengers
with its three-seat folding rear seats. Loading capacity
increases up to 2,500 litres. With an electric drive system
from Micro-Vett, the electric Fiorino comes with a full Fiat
warranty. Lithium ion batteries deliver a typical city
driving range of 55 miles and top speed of 55mph. Prices to
be confirmed in the near future. Finally electric Ducato and
Scudo models will be launched late 2008.
NICE Car Company
In July 2006 the
NICE Car Company was born. Founded by former-Lotus
colleagues Julian Wilford and Evert Geurtsen, NICE made its
debut at the British International Motor Show. The stylish
Mega City, the company’s first car, was presented to more
than 400,000 eager ExCeL visitors. Like the newly
invigorated show, which returned to the capital for the
first time since 1976, NICE signalled the start of a
shake-up in the auto industry. Car makers had dallied with
electric cars since the turn of the 20th century, but
Wilford and Geurtsen recognised the zeitgeist. The electric
car’s time had finally arrived.
Since launching
the company, the automotive picture has changed. For some,
within and outside the industry, the electric revolution has
been sudden and unforeseen. For many it is unwelcome. But
the change has real political momentum and the business case
for all-electric cars, vans and trucks has never been
clearer. The world caught up with the NICE vision. Electric
vehicles have won the technology war and, as the company
grows, customers across Europe are set to reap the benefits.
The political
tide
Biofuels,
hydrogen, hybrids and electric cars; two years ago the drive
to sustainable motoring seemed to be wrapped up in a host of
competing technological endeavours. Then in March 2008 two
influential reports were published. The King Review shaped
policy maker’s thoughts about sustainable motoring in the
21st century. Its author said that road transport could only
achieve significant reductions in CO2 emissions if industry,
consumers and government turned to electric and hybrid
vehicles en masse. Government took notice.
Last month the
prime minister added his weight to the electric revolution,
announcing an increase in renewable energy supplied to the
national grid. Renewables would form 15 per cent of the mix
by 2020, he said, as part of the government’s renewable
energy strategy. He added that greater take-up of electric
and hybrid vehicles would be key to achieving carbon
reduction targets.
It was a message
with echoes of an influential WWF report, also published in
March. Called Plugged In: The End of the Oil Age, it pointed
out the benefits of all-electric cars, even with the current
energy mix. But also their potential for the future:
“despite those wretched power plant efficiencies and the
fact that powertrain technology is relatively immature, the
battery electric vehicle can be over 60 per cent more
efficient than today’s conventional ICE (internal combustion
engine) across the plant to wheel life cycle” – p 86
“Electric
vehicles need not wait for the coming renewable energy
revolution, though they will automatically reap the rewards
when that does happen.” – p91
Mainstream car
companies have started queuing up to reveal plans for
all-electric models. More and more will be coming to market,
they claim, either in 2010, 2011 or 2012. But few can sell
cars to customers today.
For the NICE Car
Company though, the dawn of mass-market, all-electric
motoring was something for which the company had prepared
and planned. Today there is no other company offering the
range of vehicles – cars, vans and motorcycles - that NICE
Car Company can supply. Three global launches in London
reflect the continued drive to be market leaders and the hub
for electric motoring in the UK. And soon, across Europe
too.
The future of all-electric motoring
All-electric
motoring has a bright future. Battery technology will
continue to improve with better range and performance.
Incentives like free parking and juice points will also
increase convenience for customers. Concerns about carbon
footprints mean more and more people (and companies) will
turn to emissions-free vehicles. Noiseless, tailpipe free
and with zero CO2, electric vehicles are the urban-friendly,
sustainable transport solution
But as well as
environmental benefits, there are very strong financial
reasons why the electric revolution has come. According to
the AA, fuel costs have risen by more than 20 per cent in
the last year, a fact drivers of any conventionally-powered
vehicle can’t have failed to notice. For those on a tight
budget, electric motoring is becoming an increasingly
attractive proposition. Running an electric car is about 15
times cheaper than a conventionally-powered car at between
two and three pence per mile.
There are other
benefits too: congestion charge exempt in central London;
zero emissions, so free from road tax; zero emissions, so no
CO2 and no air quality pollutants like soot or oxides of
nitrogen; lligible for parking concessions in forward
thinking boroughs like Westminster in central London; an
increase in the number of electric re-charging points with
more will come throughout the UK, as well as central London;
and never having to visit a petrol forecourt again.
The government
is committed to reducing the UK’s dependency on oil. It is
committed to increasing the renewable energy mix. And NICE
Car Company is committed to supplying the vehicles that will
complement this strategy. But it recognises that saving
customers money is a major factor in any car buying
decision.
The NICE family
So what is the
NICE Car Company? It’s a question we’ve been asked many
times over the last few months. In describing the business
model, it’s helpful to consider an analogy with another
industry – mobile telecommunications.
When the mobile
phone market took off in the 1990s, consumers were confused
by a bewildering array of products and service providers.
One company, the Carphone Warehouse, saw potential in
helping customers to separate the wood from the trees.
Working in a one-stop shop, staff would be knowledgeable,
guiding consumers through a maze of networks and contracts,
offering the most suitable phone for their needs.
NICE Car Company
believes a similar approach can be taken with electric
vehicles. In an emerging market, customers need advice on
available vehicles; they need a retailer with experience and
expertise; someone who offers a range of electric vehicles.
Not just one brand.
It is a novel
approach to selling new cars, but NICE believes it is the
right way forward. It doesn’t rely on the traditional one
manufacturer-one dealer approach. NICE is a family of
electric cars. And at the motor show this year we’re
revealing our new family members.
But NICE is more
than just car retailing. As well as our stand in the North
Hall, NICE will demonstrate its commitment to research and
development. That’s why we have two vehicles supporting the
electric vehicle village in the south hall.
Micro-Vett electric Fiat e500 - Details
Price: on application
On sale from: Now
Warranty: 2 years
Insurance group: 4
Origin: Italy
Maximum speed: 60 mph
Range: 70 miles
Charging time: 6-8 hours
Battery type: Lithium polymer - Kokam
Battery capacity: 22 kWh
Regenerative braking: Yes
Transmission: Manual 5-speed (auto optional)
Construction: Steel monocoque
Suspension front: Independent
Suspension rear: Independent
Weight (kerb): ca 1050 kg
Seats (number): 4
Standard equipment: Radio/CD/MP2 player, Bluetooth and USB,
air con, remote central locking, ABS with EBD, 15” alloy
wheels, drivers airbag, drivers knee airbag, passenger and
window airbags
Optional equipment:
ESP,
auto climate control, electric sunroof, reverse parking
sensors, 16” alloy wheels, metallic paint
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