TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk Announces Green Car Innovator Of The Year

STOCKPORT, United Kingdom – February 19, 2009: TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk would like to congratulate the winner of their latest poll. The UK’s leading green car advisory publication, asked website visitors; ‘Through 2008, who do you think has done the most for the innovation and use of greener technologies or ideas?’

Launched in 2004 with just eight cars, Streetcar has expanded rapidly to come to the forefront of the car club revolution, now with around 50,000 members using over 700 locations in 7 UK cities. Streetcar is now the largest car clubs in the UK and the fastest growing in the world. On the face of their success, is an innovative approach to the use of cars, creating a win-win situation for motorists and the environment. It is estimated that Streetcar has already replace 12,000 cars privately owned cars. Streetcar also report that the average cost per annum of owning a car used for two representative trips per week is £2,749 according to AA figures, whereas it is only £707 if using Streetcar- a massive saving of £2.042! It then comes with little surprise that Streetcar should storm the poll and win with 32 per cent of the vote.

Liberty Electric Cars came in second place with 27 per cent. Achieving fame in 2008 for their adapted Range Rover turned electric car. The company, based in Oxford, is focused on re-engineering of large luxury cars and 4 x 4’s into emission-free, high performance electric vehicles. In August last year, Liberty Electric Cars formed the ‘Zero Emission Vehicle Foundation’ tailored to attract funds and investment into the development of new technologies to support electric vehicles.

Connaught Engineering who came in third place with 16 per cent of the vote, are recognised for the development of their HYBRID+ system, the world’s first commercially available retro-fit hybrid system. This unique technology was tested in a government approved emissions facility at Millbrook, in Bedfordshire in October of last year and is now available to buy from £2750.00 + VAT. Connaught say that their technology will not affect the original manufacturer’s warranty while recent urban consumption tests are showing fuel economy improvements of greater than 20 per cent through the use of their system.

The HYBRID+ can be simply retro-fitted to existing vehicles. It uses compact supercapacitors rather than large batteries meaning that it does not have the have environmental problems associated with batteries when they are ultimately disposed. The technology also makes full use of regenerative braking technology to reduce emissions.

“We believe green car technology and ideas really came a long way in 2008 and although a slowing economy may make it more difficult for manufacturers and other businesses to retain the pace through 2009, I think it is a case of no-turning back now. The market for greener motoring ideas is established and there will always be brilliant companies like those featured in our poll that will break through with their developments”, says TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk’s editor, Faye Sunderland.

“Streetcar are unique in that they took a brilliant and yet quite simple idea and turned it to gold, or should that be green! Although we have yet to feel the benefit of their service in many cities across the UK, the appeal of saving so much money and hassle will undoubtedly see Streetcar spread their business model to new areas in 2009”, she concludes.

Brett Akker, co-founder of Streetcar comments;

"Streetcar is delighted to have won the TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk’s ‘Green Car Innovation’ award for 2008 in recognition of the positive environmental change that we achieved during the year. With more than 50,000 members, 2008 was certainly the year that motorists truly embraced the car club concept. We believe, with further innovation such as our recent ‘Car Crunch’ initiative and recognition in the form of awards such as this, we will see a further shift away from car ownership to Streetcar over the coming 12 months."