UK’s first zero-emission street to trial in London Beech Street in the City of London will ban petrol and diesel vehicles London will open the UK’s first zero-emission street, as Barbican Estate’s Beech Street is set to ban petrol and diesel vehicles. The City of London Corporation is working on Transport for London plans for no environmental disruption from vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians by spring 2020. The move will be possible with an 18-month experimental traffic order, allowing air quality and traffic to be monitored. Exemptions will include emergency vehicles, access to car parks off Beech Street, and for refuse collection and deliveries. The 153 bus route which runs along the street is fully-electric and unaffected by the changes. Beech Street experiences high levels of air pollution since it is a busy route and enclosed. The ban is expected to significantly improve air quality in the area, with particular focus on nearby schools. The trial will also be used to consider whether similar measures are suitable for other streets within the City of London. To be able to access the street other than under the above exemptions, vehicles will need to comply with TfL’s Cleaner Vehicle Discount for the Congestion Charge. This sees a maximum CO2 limit of 75 g/km, minimum 20 mile electric-only range, and Euro 6 equivalent NOx standard. Signage and warnings will be set up prior to the boundaries, and traffic will be enforced using automatic number-plate recognition cameras, with a penalty charge issued should regulations be broken.
Origin: UKs first zeroemission street to trial in London
London
Electric London black cab launches with 187-mile range
A pure electric black cab has been launched, rivalling the plug-in hybrid LEVC TX and offering up to 187 miles of range. The Dynamo Taxi, produced by new cab maker Dynamo, is the first fully electric taxi since the 1897 Bersey Taxi. The vehicle is based on the Nissan e-NV200 Evalia MPV, which Dynamo buys from the maker and modifies. Dynamo has added wheelchair accessibility and re-kitted the model’s interior to meet strict London taxi regulations. Other changes include incorporating contactless payment into the Evalia’s infotainment system. There is also an enlarged glass roof and heated seats, while Dynamo claims the seating has been overhauled to better cater for passengers. The cab has the same drivetrain as the standard Nissan e-NV200, producing a range of up to 187 miles. Recharging the Dynamo from empty to 80% takes between 40 and 60 minutes on a 46kW fast charge. The reworked Nissan also benefits from a significantly tighter turning circle to help drivers navigate London’s streets. Dynamo aims to produce at least 500 taxis next year, with a minimum of 1500 targeted for 2021. Although the taxi was launched in London, Dynamo hopes they will be adopted across the UK. Dynamo CEO Brendan O’Toole said: “The UK’s new-car market is experiencing an electric revolution, with record numbers of fully electric vehicle registrations taking place each year. Electric vehicle technology is now a viable alternative to petrol and diesel vehicles, and it’s imperative the UK’s taxi market changes with the times. “The Dynamo Taxi is the UK’s first Transport for London-approved fully electric taxi and is designed with both drivers and passengers in mind. With a low starting price, and a reliable vehicle architecture in the Nissan e-NV200, we are offering a truly unique solution to the tens of thousands of taxi drivers in London and cities across the UK.” The taxi costs £55,495 outright. This figure is reduced to £47,955 for buyers eligible for a £7500 government plug-in car
Origin: Electric London black cab launches with 187-mile range
Haggle-free, ‘contactless’ car vending machine appears in London
What do bags of chips, overpriced headphones and cars have in common? Theyre all available from vending machines, of course. Well, if you live in London, at least.AutoTrader UK has just set up shop at Spitalfields Market in a tony area of the city, stocking the countrys first car vending machine with a Renault Zoe. For those not in the loop, the Zoe is a compact electric car, and one of Renaults hottest tickets right now.Unlike your local dealer yknow, the kind where you generally need to negotiate the price of a new cars across the desk from a salesman aching to meet a quota this vending machine is strictly a no-haggle zone. AutoTrader set the Zoes price at 16,000 (approximately $26,000 Canadian).This compares very favourably against the cars reported actual sticker, some ten grand higher. Incentives are a wonderful things.As with most everything else in this life, shoppers can pay for their freshly vended Renault with their phone. It took about twelve weeks for six engineers to design and build the machine, which includes a custom key release function.Reports dont specify if the vending doors spring open automatically upon payment or if the purchaser gets to open them dramatically as if they are uncovering a Lamborghini barn find.Perhaps unsurprisingly, this marketing effort was spurred by a study that indicated about half of those surveyed disliked negotiating the price of a new car purchase. An electric car was chosen for this experiment thanks to over three-quarters of Brits believing only hybrid and all-electric cars should be allowed to drive in London thanks to pollution concerns.Heres hoping the car inside this vending machine doesnt get snagged on the dispenser like the last chocolate bar your author tried to
Origin: Haggle-free, ‘contactless’ car vending machine appears in London
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