New Models and New Ideas Attract Visitors to EV Show in United Kingdom

SILVERSTONE, United Kingdom -- March, 15: A host of new models will line up alongside a panel of industry experts to provide visitors to this year’s EV & Low CO2 Fleet Show at Silverstone with plenty of reasons to attend the event.

Among the exciting new cars taking to the Silverstone Circuit when the show opens on Wednesday 18th April will be Citroën’s highly acclaimed, 200bhp DS5 Hybrid4, the world’s first hybrid diesel powertrain, offering fuel consumption of 74.3mpg and CO2 emissions of just 99g/km.

Citroën UK’s Fleet Director, Andy Wady, said: “DS5 Hybrid4 really does offer the best of all worlds. It’s stylish, exciting to drive, tax-efficient and environmentally friendly – a car that we believe will establish itself as a real landmark in fleet. We have chosen to give DS5 Hybrid4 its fleet debut at the EV & Low CO2 Fleet Show because the audience, the venue and the timing are all just right for us.”

As well as test driving the latest low-emission models on the Stowe Circuit at Silverstone, visitors to the show will also have the opportunity to hear the latest thinking on a range of fleet topics in a series of fleet seminars from a team of highly respected presenters.

The seminar programme commences at 10.30 and runs through until 12.20.

The seminar speakers are:

10.30 – 10.50 Paul Nieuwenhuis, Director, Centre for Automotive Industry Research – Operating Costs and Operational Requirements of EVs

11.00 – 11.20 Caroline Watson, Transport Strategy Manager, Energy Saving Trust and Robin Haycock, Head of Transport, The Climate Group – Developing the Business Case for EVs

11.30 – 11.50 Alex Stewart, Senior Consultant, Element Energy – Future Developments in EV Drivetrain and Battery Technology

12.00 – 12.20 Robert Lambe, Managing Director, Willmott Dixon Re-thinking – Case Study Presentation on Business De-carbonisation

After lunch, commencing at 2.10pm, there will also be a Question Time-style debate, sponsored by Venson Automotive Solutions and chaired by John Lewis, Chief Executive of the British Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association, at which fleet decision makers can discuss some of the topics presented earlier in the day.

Event organiser and Fleet World managing editor, Ross Durkin, said: “We’re delighted that Citroën’s stylish new DS5 Hybrid4 will be making its fleet debut at the show in April. The car represents some of the best thinking in new powertrain technology and is sure to be an unbeatable proposition for fleets.

“Visitors can split their time at the show between getting first-hand experience of the latest low-emission models, consulting the experts on all aspects of EV fleet operation, and bringing themselves up to date with the latest strategic thinking from the major motor manufacturers,” added Durkin.

The 2012 EV & Low CO2 Fleet Show is being organised by Fleet World magazine in association with the BVRLA, the trade association of the UK’s leasing and rental industries. It is being sponsored by the Energy Saving Trust, a non-profit organisation jointly funded by the Government and private sector to help fight climate change and cut UK carbon dioxide emissions.

The show will be based in the new state-of-the-art Silverstone Wing conference and event facility, situated in the heart of the Grand Prix Circuit, and boasting two exhibition halls, a conference hall, banqueting facilities and the latest technical and AV equipment.

The EV & Low CO2 Fleet Show will allow visitors to:

Test drive the latest petrol-electric hybrids, diesel-electric hybrids, fuel-cell hybrids and electric range-extenders, as well as the latest low-emission petrol and diesel engine vehicles Discuss future drivetrain strategies with leading motor manufacturers Find out more about low-emission light commercial vehicles Talk to charging point suppliers and recharging infrastructure providers Discuss low-carbon vehicle supply with leading leasing suppliers.

All test-driving of electric, hybrid and other low-CO2 vehicles will include two or three laps of the Stowe Circuit, a separate infield circuit with its own facilities, and there will be provision for visitors to book provisional test drives in advance directly with the relevant motor manufacturer.