The designers and presenters from the NICE (No Internal Combustion Engine) Car Company may have made the greatest strides toward commercial success in the recent British International Motor Show. This London-based car company unveiled five vehicles in total that run entirely on electricity and function well in city environments. NICE has expanded its inventory to address the needs of families, commuters and vacationers looking to drive into the country.
The MyCar and Mega City lines from NICE are designed for professionals using their cars for daily commutes. The MyCar is a strict two-seater that uses an eight kWh deep cycle battery and can reach 40 miles per hour with the pedal to the floor. NICE presented the MyCar as a city car priced around $18,000USD, which will be available in showrooms by the end of 2008. The Mega City two-seater lasts up to 60 miles at full charge due to its 10.5 kWh lead acid battery pack. NICE has priced the Mega City at $22,900USD and offers expansion to a four-seat coupe for additional fees.
NICE Car Company’s unveiling of the e500 and Ze-O MPV should put other automakers on notice about the future of electric vehicles. The e500 is a four-seat coupe produced by Italian company Micro-vett that runs up to 75 miles on a full charge. The reason why the e500 lasts longer than other NICE offerings is the advanced Li-ion battery under the hood. The Ze-O MPV can be outfitted with a lead acid or Li-ion battery pack which can allow drivers to last up to 65 miles during daily commutes. The Ze-O MPV’s sedan body and various options mean that drivers will need to pay at least $27,900USD for this vehicle.
It is heartening to see a company like NICE Car Company make a push toward a greater share of the market. Each vehicle presented at the British International Motor Show costs less than $30,000, addresses the oft-overlooked issue of lightweight body construction and fits the demographics keen on purchasing zero-emission vehicles. NICE Car Company’s savvy in blending traditional and innovative automotive technologies should make it a player in the burgeoning green vehicle market.
