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UK manufacturer AXON AUTOMOTIVE
unveils Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle
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28th October, 2009
New UK car manufacturer
Axon Automotive has previewed its plug-in hybrid electric vehicle at the Milton
Keynes Science Festival. The vehicle combines full electric mode for local
travel and uses a petrol or bioethanol powered engine for long distance or
motorway travel.
Axon Automotive uses
revolutionary manufacturing techniques to make carbon fibre technology,
which has been associated with racing cars, affordable for eco cars.
“By designing light cars and giving them good aerodynamics you can radically
lower vehicle emissions,” says Axon’s Managing Director, Dr Steve Cousins.
“As a plug-in hybrid
we have no limitation on range but we can maximise the benefits of electrics
day to day without the cost and weight of large batteries.” he added.
The Axon car is a
multipurpose vehicle built for two adults plus substantial amounts of
luggage. Stressing that carbon fibre can be recycled, the car has
fashion house designed seating made from recycled fabrics (jeans and
recycled pinstriped suits) and door panels made from recycled carbon fibre
to complete this new approach to cars in a low CO2 world.
Axon insists that
electric powered vehicles should be clear about the emissions to make the
electricity they use. “We have had our greenhouse gas emissions
calculated to include typical UK powerstation emissions when driving in
electric mode. The result gives us just under 50g/CO2 per
km for the mix of electric and petrol used in the Government test.
This is just half the level needed for free annual road tax in UK for this
car,” (band ‘A’ is below 100g/CO2 per km = zero road tax in the
UK).
Axon Automotive Ltd.
is the only UK owned car company making a plug-in hybrid EV and is funded by
the UK Technology Strategy Board and private investment. The first
cars will be on sale in 2011 with full production in 2012. The manufacturing
roll-out will be via small factories in UK and in Europe including Spain,
France, Ireland, Denmark, and Holland.
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