We’re tackling transport problems head-on this week, with a host of high-tech solutions. Forget Wi-Fi enabled trains and buses with talking timetables, this is proper state of the art kit.
We bring you, Travel 2.0. In part one we explored next-gen car sharing schemes. Now we’re taking to the road under our own steam, or rather, electrons. Read on for everything you need to know!
Passing on petrol and ditching diesel in favour of a plug-in people-mover doesn’t just flip the middle finger to noxious exhaust fumes, it’ll let you save cash and care for the environment too.
But we know what you’re thinking: Electric cars are old news. We’ve seen them cruising the streets, carrying slightly embarrassed drivers and attracting jeers from passers by. It’s safe to say, the majority are far from cool.
That’s why we’ve dedicated this round-up to truly fashionable forms of electric transport. Read on, and you’ll wonder why you’ve never plugged in your ride before!
Wheelie green
If you’re getting onto the bottom rung of the eco transport ladder then check out the cheapest form of fume-dodger available: a new breed of electric bikes. These are proper push bikes, but with the added grunt of a battery built into the frame.
They let you fly away from traffic lights and junctions, neatly avoiding the paths of brain-dead drivers keen to plough you into the kerb. What’s more, they’ll help you out when it comes to puffing your way uphill.
Top of our list is the Trailz ST electric bike, designed by IZIP. It’s a neat bike that won’t look out of place next to its pedal-powered brethren. OK, it’s a bit on the heavy side, and even its hefty battery will only push you around 20 miles without adding a bit of effort yourself, but at £360, it’s a steal.
Fancy something more showy? Check out the A2B Electric bike range. They start at a wallet-wilting £1,600, but look much slicker, with slimmer batteries and mudguards.
Scooter savings
If pedalling your way through town is still a bit too slow for you, how about the newest scooters on the block, powered by electricity and with specs that’ll do more than raise an eyebrow?
The Ego Electric Street Scoota might look like a normal city scooter, but it’s powered exclusively by electrons, so there’s no nasty niffs, and less moving parts to fail than a normal bike.
What’s more, the battery is removable, so you can carry it into the office (or house) to charge it up. No trailing cables, no messing about with adapters. It’s all designed to be very easy. Best of all, it costs just 8p to charge to the brim, giving a range of 40 miles (and a top speed of 30mph).
The price for such petrol-battering eco power? A shade under £1,000. Yes, you read that right. Now, aren’t you sorry you haven’t made the move to eco motoring yet?
What about cars?
Picking an electric car that looks the business is much harder, but it’s set to change this year. BMW has already launched the Mini E – a reworked version of its popular micro-car, equipped with electric motors and a 150 mile range. It’s currently limiting production to 500 cars, and leasing them to select customers around the world. There are murmurs the car will hit full production towards the end of this year.
In the meantime, British fans of electric driving should check out Tesla’s cars. It’s due to open the UK’s first showroom in London’s Knightsbridge next month, initially selling the limited edition Signature Roadster for £94,000. After that it’ll offer the regular Roadster for around £87,000 and eventually its Tesla Model S saloon car.
Is it the future?
There’s no doubt, electricity has an increasingly important part to play in moving people around our cities. For the time being we suspect it’s limited to two wheels, but by the end of the year we could be cruising on volt-power with four or more passengers.
Will you switch to electric power to get you around town? Give us your thoughts in our poll below.
