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TV’s Gail Porter to launch Camden Council’s Green Motor Expo

LONDON - 4.9.09
Television presenter and Camden resident Gail Porter will open Camden Council’s special green motor show where residents and businesses can discover a whole range of eco-friendly vehicles.

Camden Council’s Green Motor Expo is at Triton Square Plaza, Regent's Place from 10am to 4pm on Thursday 24 September. The event is backed by Transport for London (TfL).

Visitors to the Green Motor Expo will get a first hand look at the wide range of green vehicles including cars, vans and bicycles from both major and independent manufacturers. The event will enable visitors to receive up to date information about the performance, environmental and cost benefits associated with green vehicles.

The technologies and fuels on offer include hybrid, electric, biofuel and hydrogen-based fuel cells. Test drives will also be available for visitors who pre-register though the Green Expo website.

Local businesses will also have the opportunity to receive free advice regarding green fleet management from representatives of TfL's Freight Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS), and visitors will be able to test their driving skills on an eco-driving simulator.

Ms Porter – who has recently given up her 4x4 - will join representatives from Camden Council and TfL to encourage residents and businesses to consider sustainable transport options and test drive an eco-vehicle. She will also make her own eco pledge in support of Camden Council's Green Promise campaign.

Cllr Knight, executive member for environment, Camden Council said: ”Camden Council is absolutely committed to taking our share of the responsibility for tackling climate change, improving air quality and improving the environment both globally and locally for future generations. Events like the Green Motor Expo are important in helping encourage more alternative environmentally friendly transport options. We know that companies and individuals are prepared to make changes as long as the solutions are reliable and do not compromise their performance. One of today’s aims is show the huge range of solutions now on offer, many of which will actually improve on operating costs saving money over the life-cycle of the vehicle".

Gail Porter said: "I am delighted to be involved with the GME as it focuses on a subject very close to my heart, namely sustainable living.  Of course actions speak louder than words so I've made my own Green Promise to swap my thirsty car for more eco-friendly transport. I hope residents will make their own commitments to slow down climate change, and improve our air quality".

Camden Council has taken a national lead in promoting and trialling environmentally friendly transport and energy technologies. Recent achievements include introducing the first plug-in hybrid car club, installing  a number of on-street electric charging points, trialling a bio-methane waste collection vehicle, installing the UK's first local authority operated biomethane and hydrogen fuelling facilities, as well as running a range of clean vehicles in their own fleet including a zero emission portable hydrogen fuel cell generator.

-- Ends --

Press contacts
Lynn MacDonald, press officer for Camden Council,
020 7974 5238
lynn.macdonald@camden.gov.uk

Karen Parry
PR for the Green Motor Expo
0790 39 555 696.
press@greenmotorexpo.com

The Schedule

10:00 – 16:00 Event open to members of the public (free entry).
10:30 – 16:00 Pre-booked test drives available around Regent’s Park, Marylebone & Euston.
12:00 – 12:10 Introductions & welcome speeches from Gail Porter and Cllr Chris Knight of Camden Council.
12:10 – 12:15 Top companies will share their experience with green fleets (tbc).
12:15 - 12:20 Gail Porter tries the eco-driving simulator.
12:20 – 12:45 Gail Porter to pose for photos with each exhibition vehicle.
12:45 – 13:00 Gail Porter test drives one of the exhibition vehicles.
13:00 – 14:00    Gail Porter, Cllr Chris Knight/ Gloria Esposito (Camden Council), and Steven Glaser (Revolve) available for media interviews.
16:00 Expo ends

Full details of the event and test drive bookings are available via www.greenmotorexpo.com

 

Notes to Editors: 

In August 2009, Camden Council commissioned a focus group survey to ascertain the attitudes of London-based residents and businesses towards alternatively fuelled vehicles (including battery and hybrid electric cars). This event is in part a response to the findings.

Event Partners

Camden Council
Camden Council is committed to reducing 10 per cent of CO2 emissions by 2012 and improving air quality. It has put together a list of small steps which residents and businesses can take to make big differences to the environment,  Details of the small steps big difference campaign may be found at http://www.camden.gov.uk/ccm/themes/green-camden/

Transport for London
TfL's Freight Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) aims to transform freight delivery in London. The industry-led membership scheme is free, voluntary and open to any company operating vans or lorries within the Capital. Membership can help tender for business, save money provides access to a range of exclusive benefits. http://www.tfl.gov.uk/microsites/fors/

Regent's Place
Regent's Place is delighted to be hosting the Green Motor Expo in the heart of London at Triton Square Plaza, Regent's Place. http://www.regentsplace.com/

Revolve
Revolve is proud to be producing this event in partnership with Camden Council and TfL. Revolve is an independent sustainable transport consultancy with a track record of producing high profile green transport events such as the annual Eco-Rally.  http://www.eco-rally.org

 

Exhibition Highlights Include:

Hydrogen

  • The Riversimple Urban Car. An H2FC vehicle based on the much celebrated Morgan LIFEcar concept.
  • MicroCab's modular taxi / van / car / pick-up.
  • ITM Power's petro / hydrogen ICE demonstrator car and H2 electrolyzer.

Battery Electric

  • MyCar Coupe - GreenFleet's Electric Vehicle winner 2008, designed by the legendary Giorgetto Giugiaro.
  • Modec's award-winning electric van will open up to reveal Camden Council's Travel Awareness exhibit.
  • ZeCar - a quirky, affordable 5-seater electric car / microvan.
  • Aixam Mega Multitruck electric microvan.
  • A selection of modern and retro-style electric scooters from local Camden retailers.
  • Cytronex Cannondale Capo - The world’s lightest electric bicycle.
  • GoCycle - the bicycle you can ride in your suit - designed by ex Mclaren engineer.
  • The bikes will be recharged by Camden’s zero emission H2FC generator [tbc]

Hybrid

  • The UK's first plug-in hybrid car-hire scheme.
  • Honda Insight Hybrid - The most affordable hybrid family car on the market.
  • Affordable retro-fit hybrid systems based on Formula 1 KERS technology. Both Ashwoods and Connaught Engineering Ltd will offer their Ford Transit vans for test drives.

Biomethane

  • A Lotus sports car, vans and a waste collection vehicle fuelled by society's waste.

Eco Driving

  • Eco-Driving Simulator – developed by Global Action Plan and Toyota. The most affordable way to reduce emissions without having to buy a new car. Visitors can compete to get to the top of the green driver leaderboard.

Stop/Start

  • The What Car? Green Car of the Year, Volvo DRIVe.
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