The GreenFleet Capital Arrive 'N' Drive and Fuel Challenge proved that low and zero emission vehicles offer a greener, cheaper way for fleet vehicles to operate around London. The Guildhall Yard in London EC2 was host to the 2007 event, sponsored by Transport for London and GlobalLive, and featured an impressive display of cleaner transport options.
 These included zero emission delivery vehicles from Modec, electric car charging posts from EDF Energy and Elektromotive, a hydrogen powered BMW and the Aixam Mega, which was featured on BBC's 'The Apprentice' as competing teams battled to sell coffee in Islington.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY Other manufacturers on display included Vectrix, Toyota, Honda, Citroen and The Nice Car Company. Intelligent Energy displayed the ENVbike, the world first purpose built fuel cell motorcyle, while new vehicle rental company Green Motion displayed hybrid Lexus and Prius models. Green Motion will also be the first rental company to offer the VW Polo Bluemotion, which runs on Low Sulphur Diesel and is available from October.
The Capital Fuel Challenge was set off by Deputy Mayor Nicky Gavron. Each of the participants had to navigate their way through London traffic to pick up objects from each of four checkpoints in the correct order. Each vehicle was fitted with a tracking system from telematics company GlobalLive. Visitors to the event were able to see the challenge progress on a big screen at the venue. Fuel for the challenge was provided by Harvest Energy, which produces a range of alternative fuels including Bio-ethanol E85. Electricity for the event was supplied by EDF Energy, which is partnering Elektromotive to introduce the 'Elektrobay' vehicle charging posts to areas in and around London.
The Institute of Advanced Motorists were also on hand to offer ten tips on how to drive 'greener'. Examiner Lloyd Brown briefed all fuel challenge entrants before they set off.
A range of competing fuel types included petrol, diesel, bio-ethanol, electric and hybrid petrol/electric. As soon as the vehicles returned, they were quickly transported to Millbrook Proving Ground, where they will be independently tested to determine the amount of CO2 that was produced by the journey. For electric vehicles, the calculation will take account of the amount of CO2 generated by their charging cycle.
First to return was courier company City Sprint, driving the electric powered Vectrix Maxi Scooter. The Metropolitan Police came in second, driving the Toyota Prius hybrid electric, closely followed by the Government Car and Desptach Agency, again driving the Toyota Prius.
Deputy Mayor and Chair of the London Hydrogen Partnership Nicky Gavron said: "The Capital Arrive ‘N’ Drive and Fuel Challenge is a great way to showcase the cleanest and greenest vehicles available today. There are many ways for people to reduce their emissions from transport. When you next change your car opt for the type which uses the cleanest technology or is the most fuel efficient that you can get. Co2 emissions from road transport would fall by as much as 30 per cent if people simply bought the most fuel-efficient version of the car they want.”
The results of the fuel challenge will be announced shortly on www.greenfleet.net, with the first, second and third placed entrants from the public and private sectors put through to the GreenFleet TfL Private & Public Sector Fleet of the Year Awards, where they will present their case as to why they think their fleet is the greenest. This will be judged by an expert panel of industry representatives at the GreenFleet Awards, taking place on 6th September at the East Wintergardens, Docklands, London. Other wards include Fleet Manager of the Year, Industry Innovation and Lifetime Achievement, previously awarded to Graham Smith of Toyota, also chair of the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership and president of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY |
