Recharge Wrap-up: India plans to subsidize EVs, Ultra Low Emissions Zone in London

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India is set to heavily subsidize conversion to electric vehicles with its National Electric Mobility Mission Plan. The government will be providing automakers with cash to create electric cars. It will help customers pay for new electric vehicles, and a 35 percent subsidy for EVs and 25 percent incentive for plug-in hybrids has been proposed. The government will also subsidize kits to convert existing internal combustion vehicles to electric. Plans are in place to install chargers in hope of convincing drivers to make the switch to electric. The goal is to get 6 to 7 million electric vehicles on India's roads by 2020. Read more at The Asian Age.

The mayor of London wants to create an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in central London by 2020, he announced during the Corporation of the City of London Air Quality reception. To fight air pollution in the city, Mayor Boris Johnson is trying to convince the government to keep diesel vehicles not meeting the Euro 6 emissions standard, as well as gasoline vehicles registered before 2006, out of the district unless they pay 10 pounds to enter. He also wants to convince the European Commission to adopt his plan to limit NO2 emissions ten years ahead of the 2030 target. Read more about the ULEZ at the BBC's website.

Metrocab showed off its Range Extended Electric taxi during reception. As part of the ULEZ plan, all taxis would all be zero-emissions capable and only use electric power in the ULEZ. "The aim is to have 7,000 zero-emissions-capable taxis on the streets of London by 2020," Johnson says. Of the new Metrocab developed by Frazer-Nash and Ecotive, Lord Mayor Alderman Fiona Woolf says, "It's superb, an absolutely beautiful machine and a masterpiece of British engineering. Totally silent, it's the Rolls Royce of taxis and can do 100 mpg." Read more in the press release below.
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BORIS JOHNSON LAUNCHES AIR QUALITY MANIFESTO FOR LONDON AND MEETS ZERO-EMISSIONS CAPABLE METROCAB'S FIRST LONDON CABBIE

- Mayor of London Boris Johnson calls on Government and European Commission to match the Capital's ambitious plans to tackle air quality to help London meet EU limits for nitrogen oxide by 2020, rather than 2030
- New diesel cars levy announced with drivers set to pay a further £10 to enter London Ultra Low Emission Zones from 2020
- Boris meets Metrocab's first London cabbie and describes the zero-emissions taxi as "a masterpiece of British engineering"

Mansion House, London, July 2014 – London Mayor Boris Johnson and Lord Mayor Alderman Fiona Woolf hosted the Corporation of the City of London Air Quality reception last night, held at Mansion House, where a new Air Quality Manifesto for London was launched.

Mayor Boris Johnson, who arrived emissions free on his bicycle, was also offered a zero-emissions journey home by the new Metrocab's first cabbie Tony Norris.

London Mayor Boris Johnson said: "In our Ultra Low Emissions Zones (ULEZ) all taxis are to be zero-emissions capable, which means drivers must switch over to electric drive when in the ULEZ. The aim is to have 7,000 zero-emissions-capable taxis on the streets of London by 2020, and now is the time to move forward with these remarkable technological developments I have seen outside."

Commenting on the new zero-emissions capable Metrocab, Boris Johnson said: "It's superb, an absolutely beautiful machine and a masterpiece of British engineering. Totally silent, it's the Rolls Royce of taxis and can do 100mpg."

Speaking at the event, Fiona Woolf, the Lord Mayor of the City of London, said: "We are a world away from the thick and filthy fogs of Victoria London – and even from the post war 'pea soupers'. But we have a long way to go before London's air quality is at the levels we want to see. Our capital is home to a unique concentration of expertise and initiative, and this is a London-wide challenge – but it is also a global challenge. Our goals will be achieved through cooperation between the London boroughs, London Councils, the Government and the GLA – who I congratulate on showing such excellent leadership."

British designed, engineered and built to help London meet its air quality targets, the Metrocab from Surrey-based Frazer-Nash Research and Ecotive, is a new generation zero-emissions capable range extended electric-powered taxi, and represents the cutting edge of green transport.

The Metrocab's REE technology delivers a range of 560km, typically saving a London taxi driver £20-£40 per day based on the average day and night duty cycle in the capital.

Also showcased by Frazer-Nash at the Air Quality reception was a revolutionary new Solar Charging Station model, demonstrating the company's Concentrated PhotoVoltaic Technology, which converts light energy into electrical energy for charging the Metrocab lithium-ion polymer battery pack. The company is trialling a full-size system at its Surrey headquarters and intends to roll out the charging stations in London and other key cities around the world.

To play videos of the first Metrocab test-drives and to hear comments from London's mayor and taxi drivers, visit Metrocab TV athttp://bit.ly/1xojyMl.Taxi drivers interested in registering for a trial in the new Metrocab can do so by visiting www.newmetrocab.com/trial.

About the all-new Metrocab:

The purpose-built all-new Range Extended Electric (REE) Metrocab taxi represents the cutting edge of green transportation technology. The vehicle incorporates the latest technology for comfort, performance and safety, providing unrivalled efficiency and economy with significantly reduced daily operation and maintenance costs together with customer benefits including full disabled accessibility, panoramic roof for views of the city, increased luggage space and unrivalled comfort for up to seven passengers.

The taxi is driven by two electric motors, range extended with a 1-litre petrol engine coupled with a generator to recharge the battery pack (which takes as little as 10 minutes while driving). Charging is also available via any mains electric outlet ensuring even lower fuel consumption.

Developed by Surrey-based Frazer-Nash Research and Ecotive, this unique powertrain system offers ultra-low emissions and a zero emissions mode, improved air quality, reduced noise pollution, and economic benefits including tax incentives and grants. www.newmetrocab.com

Metrocab key features:

- 100mpg and over three times more fuel efficient than comparable current London taxi
- 75% less CO2 than comparable current London taxi
- New Metrocab <50g/km CO2
- >560km combined range
- Significantly lower running costs, typically saving a London cabbie £20 – 40 per day
- Zero-emissions mode and home charging via standard mains outlet
- >10 years in development and over a million engineering test kilometres
- Six passenger seats (plus optional seventh passenger seat in the front)
- Fully compliant with London Public Carriage Office (PCO) regulations

Metrocab Technical Specification:

GENERAL

- Range extended electric vehicle
- Fully compliant with London Public Carriage Office (PCO) regulations
- Capable of zero emission operation
- Vehicle health diagnostics and status telemetry system

VEHICLE DIMENSIONS

- Overall length:............................... 4,905mm
- Overall width:................................. 1,800mm
- Overall height:.................................1,925mm
- Wheel base:....................................3,181mm

VEHICLE WEIGHT

- Gross:................................................2,515kg

PERFORMANCE

- Top speed:........................................80mph (Restricted)
- Max gradient:....................................1:3
- Emissions:.........................................<50g/km CO2
- Turning circle: ...................................7.62m (Meets PCO requirement)
- Regenerative braking

DRIVELINE

- Peak motor power:......................... 2 x 50kW
- Peak wheel torque:........................ 2 x 1,400Nm

RANGE EXTENDER

- 1 litre petrol range-extender engine coupled to generator unit
- Fuel efficient urban and highway generating modes
- Meets Euro 5 emission standards

BATTERY SYSTEM

- Lithium-ion polymer large format cells
- Stored capacity:............................... 12.2kWh
- 3kW on board charging

FEATURES

- Driver multi-function touch screen display and instrument cluster with colour display
- Satellite Navigation System
- Passenger colour TV display
- USB charging socket
- Digital infotainment system
- Hands free telephone
- Air conditioning and heating
- Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
- 3-seater rear bench seat - fore/aft adjustable for more luggage space when required
- 3 rear facing flip down seats
- 1 optional front passenger seat
- Full wheelchair access with integrated wheelchair ramp
- Panoramic glass roof
- Mood Lighting
- Air suspension

* Correct at time of going to print, subject to change

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