Just plug it in, turn it on, move it out - the G-Wiz electric car offers drivers a stlysh and eco-friendly to get around congested city streetsWhen henry Ford began producing his Model T for the masses in 1908, he famously remarked that buyers could get it in any colour "so as long as it is black". Now comes the environmentally friendly G-Wiz , an electric car decidedly not aimed at the masses."and you can have any color you want, as long as it is green," quips Keith Johnston, managing director of GoingGreen, which began selling the Indian-made "electricCity" car in Britain last summer.Electric cars are not new, of course. The first electric prototype was built in Scotland way back in the 1830s.
Carmakers have been experimenting with electric vehicles ever since, especially in the years following the first oil crisis in 1973, What makes the G-Wiz differentis its ease of use and clever energy management system. Powered by eight - volt lead acid batteries, the micro-coupe can be rechargedby plugging it into a standard electric outlet. "It's tried and true battery technology," says Johnston. To really cut down on green house gases,though, G-Wiz owners will have to source power from a renewable supply-other-wise, the fact that G-Wiz produces no emission will be cancelled out by emissions from a polluting power station. While other car manufacturers have concentrated on building a better battery, the Reva Electric Car Co., which manufactures the G-Wiz has "regenerative braking". For example, which captures friction heat every time the car brakes and converts it into electricity. Body panels of"no dent plastic" are as lightweight as they are tough. With a top speed of 64 Km/h and a range of just 64 km, the tiny four-seater's appeal is limited. Indeed London saleshave just topped 200, while some 800 car have been sold in India. Buta Reva says itis always expected a slow start and bets there is a sustainable business selling inexpensive, pollution free vehicles to commuters weary of high fuel costs and worried about greenhouse-gas emissions.
"Our business model is closer to easylet's than Ford's, Johnstone says. For buyers, real savings come later. GoingGreen estimates the cost of operating the car is about
a penny a mile, the equivalent to 600 m.p.g. Like other electric vehicles, The G-Wiz is also exempt from London's congestion zone charges ($9,60 a day, increasing to $15,40 in July), and car park for free on central city streets.
Time, Thomas K.Grose