Olympics 'could boost interest in green cars'

Date: 13/9/2011

With carbon offsetting one of the major themes of next year's Olympic Games in London, interest in green motoring issues may enjoy a boost.

Such is the opinion of Justin Lovric, Co-Director of low-carbon motor festival EcoVelocity 2011, who says manufacturers of electric and hybrid vehicles realise that consumers do not want to be "preached to", but that awareness of this area of driving is substantial.

He added that during the motor show at Battersea Power Station - which took place from September 8th to 12th - an "enormous" number of test drives were recorded, which may show attendees were keen to get behind the wheel of a green car.

Expanding the infrastructure to support these vehicles may be the next step.

"Now that there are recharging points across London, people are complaining that there are not enough in other parts of the country. There are companies out there that are doing it and the market is expanding so quickly it's just [about] trying to keep up with it," he explains.

The Mitsubishi i-MiEV and the Nissan Leaf were both on show at EcoVelocity this year, which was opened by Mayor of London Boris Johnson.

Posted by Nick Anderson