Nemo turns electric

Date: Friday, May 29, 2009

Alternative fuels specialist Nicholson McLaren has joined forces with the Guernsey-based Electric Vehicle Company to develop a battery-powered version of Citroën’s Nemo.

Ideal for city centre and local multi-drop operations, and unveiled at the recent GreenFleet show, the Nemo’s electric power system has been developed in the UK and all the re-engineering work is carried out by Nicholson Mclaren at its factory in North Wales. The zero-emission Nemo is powered by engine bay-mounted array of Lithium Ion batteries that can be charged via a standard domestic three-pin plug and the system incorporates additional on-the-move energy capture courtesy of a regenerative braking system.

The development vehicles have a top speed of over 65mph, but this is likely to be limited to 60mph in the production models. Charging time is estimated to be in the region of three hours for an 80 per cent charge or about seven hours for a full charge.

Although the Electric Nemo price and warranty details have yet to be finalised — it will be under £20,000 — John Waghorn, sales director for Nicholson McLaren, would like to hear from any fleet operators who are interested in discussing a partnership arrangement for in-service testing of this new zero-emission product. He can be contacted by e-mail (jiw@n-mclaren.co.uk) or on 01189 738003.

The Electric Vehicle Company is best known for its battery-powered Smart car.

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