Alternative fuel vehicle trials

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‘MIRACLES’ Alternative fuel vehicle trials

The following vehicles are available to Winchester based businesses on four week trials from the MIRACLES project, completely FREE of charge:

Honda Civic IMA

· Hybrid: 1.4 litre petrol engine and VTEC IMA electric motor;

· Fuel economy: 57.6 mpg;

· CO2 emissions: 116g/km;

· Luggage capacity: 341 litres.

The Honda Civic Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) uses the electric motor to assist during acceleration. The car is always powered by the petrol engine but the electric motor improves fuel efficiency. In stationary traffic (e.g. traffic jams), when the car is in neutral, the petrol engine will switch itself off to save energy and reduce harmful emissions.

Toyota Prius

· Hybrid: 1.5 litre petrol engine and 35kW electric motor;

· Automatic transmission;

· Fuel economy: 57.6 mpg1;

· CO2 emissions:114g/km;

· Luggage capacity: 390 litres.

The Prius operates in a similar manner to the Civic. However, at very slow speeds the petrol engine turns itself off and only the electric battery is used to power the car, resulting in no emissions being produced when the car is being driven in heavy urban traffic.

The main advantages of these hybrid cars is that although they run on regular unleaded petrol, they are far more efficient than conventional petrol cars, therefore saving money and reducing pollution. These cars use regenerative braking to recharge the battery so there is no need to find a suitable recharging point.

Citroen Berlingo

· Battery electric panel van;

· Automatic transmission;

· Fuel economy: minimal cost for electricity, approx. 1p per mile (compared with 10p/mile for petrol);

· Range: 45-60 miles;

· Maximum speed: 60mph;

· Storage capacity: 1.7m load length, 3m3 volume, 500kg payload;

The van is recharged by plugging the vehicle into a regular 13amp wall socket. A full recharge takes approximately 7 hours (it can be left overnight to charge up).

The electric vans produce zero exhaust emissions and are virtually silent, making them ideal for city centre deliveries.

Volvo S40

· Dual-fuel: runs on either LPG or petrol;

· Fuel economy on LPG: 27.2 mpg1;

· Range on LPG: 244 miles;

· CO2 emissions (g/km): LPG=168;

· Luggage capacity: 415 litres (2.7m length).

Vauxhall Zafira

· Dual-fuel: runs on either LPG or petrol;

· Fuel economy on LPG: 26.0 mpg1;

· CO2 emissions: 172g/km;

· Luggage capacity: min 150 litres, max 1700 litres;

· Flex 7 system: 2 seat carry-all to 7 seat people carrier.

LPG is available at more than 1300 sites across the UK. The price of LPG on the forecourts is approximately half the price of petrol or diesel per litre.

Cars running on LPG produce fewer harmful CO2 emissions than petrol engines and emit up to 95% less NOx and particulates than diesel engines.

Don’t just take our word for it!

Here are just a few of the comments we have received from local businesses that have already taken part in the trials, telling us about their experiences of alternative fuel vehicles:

“I am pleasantly surprised with its performance, which I had expected to be below par. In fact there is absolutely no discernable difference and my other potential concern, on the ease of filling up, proved non-existent.”

Jim Sawyer, Palmer Fry, Winchester.

Trialled the Volvo S40 LPG car.

“Its been a really positive experience being able to see for myself how these vehicles perform. The Berlingo was simple to recharge and extremely economical. Driving an electric van allows me to operate my business as normal, without contributing to Winchester’s air quality problems. I am definitely considering buying my own electric van.”

Rob Carter, Millgate, Winchester.

Trialled a Citroen Berlingo electric panel van.

If you would like more information on alternative fuel vehicles, and details of how you can take part in the free trials, then please contact Frankie Dunckley on 01962 846332, or at frances.dunckley@hants.gov.uk.

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� Figures quoted refer to ‘combined fuel economy’, which is the average fuel consumption between urban driving and extra urban, or motorway driving.