Ecovelocity Goes ‘back To The Future’

In what could have been a scene from cult TV series Ashes to Ashes, eight people piled into the show’s iconic red Audi Quattro this week to demonstrate how ‘green’ motoring has cemented its place at the forefront of motoring innovation.



The event was run to help promote the UK’s eco motor show, EcoVelocity, which takes place at Battersea Power Station*, between September 8-11 (www.ecovelocity.co.uk).



While the CO2 emissions of today’s Nissan Leaf (0g/km), Citroen C3 Airdream (99g/km), Volkswagen Polo Bluemotion (91g/km) and Toyota Prius Plug-In (59g/km) are 249g/km combined, the Quattro’s credentials in 1983, when the equally iconic Battersea Power Station was last in operation, were more about power, hence an estimated CO2 figure of over 260g/km.



DCI Hunt would have to carry an uncomfortable eight people on every journey just to put it on a par economically with all four modern cars, assuming they are transporting the UK average of around two people.



EcoVelocity, which is co-owned by Metro and runs from September 8-11th, is a dynamic festival of green motoring packed with the very latest no-compromise, hi-tech and ultra-low carbon vehicles.



It will feature the latest green models including electric, hybrid and low CO2-emitting cars, as well as providing test drives on a specially-constructed circuit in the shadow of the famous power station.



Market leading brands attending the event include Citroen, Fiat, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Peugeot, Renault, SEAT, Toyota, Vauxhall, Volkswagen and Mia Electric



It’s not just CO2 emissions that provide a stark reminder about how different the motoring world was in 1983. Petrol prices have increased by 143% and, although the average engine size has increased from 1552cc to 1722cc**, the introduction of cleaner technology such as the catalytic converter in 1993 has vastly increased the number of cars with low emissions.



Table showing 1983 vs 2010 comparisons***



1983 2010

Average car price £4,983.40 £17,576.50

Cost of petrol per litre £0.36.7 £1.29.9

Cost of diesel per litre £0.38.9 £1.33.3

No of models under 110g/km CO2 0 (not recorded) 68 (36,649 cars)



Event founder and organiser Giles Brown said: “Today’s event was a great way of launching the EcoVelocity show while remembering the importance of what we are about – educating people about eco cars and reducing the carbon footprint.”



EcoVelocity will be a fun, interactive and educational day out, with opportunities for all of the family, including:



■The ‘SEAT young drivers’ programme for 8-12 year olds

■The ‘Honda my first licence’ introduction to motorcycling for young children

■The What Car? catwalk parade – presenting the best eco cars in each category

■The Green Supercar Paddock

■Get On – free motorcycling test ride

“EcoVelocity will be the most important and definitely not to be missed motoring event of the year, showcasing the best real-world cars for real-world motorists at a single location,” Mr Brown added.



EcoVelocity is being organised by IMIE, organisers of the British Motor Show and Metro, the World’s largest free newspaper with 3.3 million daily readers across 50 cities nationwide. Metro will be supporting EcoVelocity with a heavyweight, cross-media campaign starting in June.



Kenny Campbell, Editor of Metro, said: “These are tumultuous times for motoring, with manufacturers and motorists alike having to deal with issues such as pollution, congestion and soaring fuel costs. The public's perceptions of new-tech motoring are changing –with EcoVelocity, we aim to make those perceptions change more quickly.”



Event partners include What Car?, TfL, The Mayor of London, Source London, Get On and Green Fleet.