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smart to launch electric bicycle

smart have announced that they will be launching an electrically assisted bicycle in early 2012, a near production-ready version of the smart ebike will be displayed at the Frankfurt Motor Show (13 – 25 September 2011).

The smart ebike is being developed and built in cooperation with the renowned e-bike manufacturer GRACE, based near Berlin. It will initially be marketed by dealers in Europe (including the UK) and North America. Pricing is still to be confirmed.

Electric-assisted bicycle sales are booming across Europe – in 2007, approximately 200,000 people opted for an electric bicycle and in 2010 around 700,000 e-bikes were sold throughout Europe. The health and fitness aspect of peddling mixed with the comfort of powered transport has attracted a large market.

Annette Winkler, smart CEO, says "We at smart have been gathering experience of electric drives and the mobility needs of ... More »

£25m birthday present for 'Boris Bikes'

The Mayor of London's Barclays Cycle Hire scheme has recently celebrated its first birthday, and to mark the occasion Barclays agreed to provide another £25m sponsorship.

The extra funding will help with expansion throughout west and south-west London by the summer of 2013, and also sees Barclays sponsorship extended by three years to 2018. In total Barclays will have invested £50m into the scheme.

The Mayor has asked Transport for London (TfL) to prepare plans for a westward expansion of the scheme through the boroughs of Wandsworth, Hammersmith & Fulham, Lambeth and Kensington & Chelsea.

Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, said, "One year ago I launched a glorious new form of public transport in London. Today, it is testament to the huge impact of Barclays Cycle Hire and to the rapidly increasing popularity of pedal power in London that I can announce ... More »

U.S. car makers agree 54.5 mpg standard

President Obama has announced a historic agreement with thirteen major automakers to pursue the next phase in the Administration's national vehicle program, increasing fuel economy to 54.5 miles per US gallon for cars and light-duty trucks by Model Year 2025 – equivalent to 65.4 mpg (UK).

The President was joined by Ford, GM, Chrysler, BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar/Land Rover, Kia, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Toyota and Volvo – which together account for over 90% of all vehicles sold in the United States – as well as the United Auto Workers (UAW), and the State of California, who were integral to developing this agreement.

"This agreement on fuel standards represents the single most important step we've ever taken as a nation to reduce our dependence on foreign oil," said President Obama. "Most of the companies here today were part of an agreement we reached two years ago ... More »

LowCVP call for Awards nominations

Nominations are now invited for the LowCVP's second Low Carbon Champions Awards which will be presented at a gala reception to take place on November 14th in London.

This year's LowCVP Awards are being held in association with the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). The deadline for nominations for these prestigious Awards is Friday 30 September.

There are seven categories of Awards reflecting the diversity of those engaged in encouraging the shift to lower carbon vehicles and fuels. There are also two special awards. The LowCVP is seeking nominations for all except the final Award which will be presented to the best entry from all other categories.

The awards are for:
*Low Carbon Car / Van Manufacturer of the Year
*Low Carbon Heavy Duty Vehicle Manufacturer of the Year
*Low Carbon Vehicle Operator of the Year
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