http://www.greenbang.com/sneak-peek-at-new-low-carbon-cars_15567.html

11th November 2010

Interested in a preview glimpse of some of the low-carbon cars to hit the market over the next couple of years? Some of the most promising new models recently enjoyed a test run on Britain’s roads as part of the Royal Automobile Club’s first-ever Brighton to London Future Car Challenge.

The inaugural event was held the day before the RAC’s traditional London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. The Future Car Challenge featured competitions in three categories — electric, hybrid and internal combustion engine — with more than 60 entries making the 60-mile trek.

Among the vehicles highlighted during the day were:

The Tata Indica Vista

Taking titles for Most Economic Small Passenger EV and Most Economical & Environment Friendly Small Passenger EV, Tata Motors’ Indica Vista is an electric car due to launch in the Indian market next year. Tata is still testing the vehicle’s lithium-ion batteries, made by Electrovaya, and expects the Indica Vista will be able to travel up to 200 kilometres on one charge. The vehicle is already available in parts of Europe. In fact, the UK last year announced a loan of £10 million loan to Tata to help the company create electric-car manufacturing capabilities in Britain. The Indica Vista also made it to the third of four rounds in Progressive Insurance’s Automotive X Prize competition.