Tuesday 4 September 2012

MITCHELLS RENAULT FULLY CHARGED FOR FUTURE

 
 
NEWS FROM MITCHELLS OF LOWESTOFT
 
 
 
Renault dealership Mitchells of Lowestoft is getting fully charged for the future.
 
The Long Road showroom is the focus of attention at the moment with a range of electric cars on display including the exciting Renault Twizy, designed for a driver and passenger to sit in tandem, and the award-winning Kangoo Van Z.E.
 
Both vehicles were taken to Britain’s most easterly point at OrbisEnergy, to demonstrate the ease with which motorists can recharge their batteries at the latest public charging point in Lowestoft. The Renault Twizy was decked out in a Union Jack as visitors to Lowestoft’s flagship hub for offshore renewable energy were able to see the benefits of electric motoring.
 
New Car Sales Manager Andy Duffield said: “We are convinced that once people have test driven an electric vehicle and recognised the environmental and financial benefits of switching to an electric car or van they will be hooked. This is a step in the right direction towards a cleaner, greener environment.”
OrbisEnergy, which is owned by Suffolk County Council, recently installed the electric car charging point with help from a grant fund managed by transport innovation company EValu8. The innovation centre is keen to make people aware of public usage of the POD Points which can also be found at the Beacon Innovation Centre in Gorleston, Norfolk.
Like OrbisEnergy, it is part of a portfolio of 18 enterprise centres managed by business support organisation NWES.
John Balch, Strategic Director of NWES said “Suffolk has the aspiration to be the greenest county, so the role of OrbisEnergy, renewable energy and the evolution of electric cars goes hand in hand. Electric cars and vans are very much a part of that future and it is important we lift awareness of the availability of these charging points for those motorists who have already recognised the benefits. This is one of only two dedicated charging points in Lowestoft where members of the public can charge their cars.”
.
The futuristic Twizy is just 2.34 metres long by 1.24 metres wide and is designed for a driver and one passenger to sit in tandem. Thanks to its four-wheeled chassis and extremely low centre of gravity, Renault Twizy delivers a reassuringly stable ride, while disc brakes all-round, ensure precise, efficient stopping power.
The Kangoo Van Z.E has already scooped the International Van of the Year 2012 title and What Van? Magazine’s top prize, and is the world’s first electric light commercial vehicle (LCV) produced by a mass market manufacturer.
Mitchells of Lowestoft is preparing for the arrival of the latest model in Renault’s electric car range, the Zoe supermini which recently entered the Guinness Book of Records after travelling the longest distance for an electric car, 1,005 miles over a 24 hour period. The car will join the already established Renault EV range alongside the Fluence Z.E. saloon, Kangoo Z.E. van and the two-seater Renault Twizy.
For more information on the range of electric vehicles available or to arrange a test drive, visit Mitchells in Long Road, Lowestoft, contact them on 01502 500950 or visit their website www.mitchellsrenault.co.uk
 
Note to Editors:
Enterprise Agency NWES helps people set up in business and provides support to existing companies who wish to grow. They manage a portfolio of 18 enterprise centres across the East of England offering flexible office space, conference rooms, virtual tenancy and business advice. The electric vehicle charging point grant is managed by Evalu8 and funded by the Government Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV), the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and East of England Development Agency (EEDA). www.nwes.org.uk
 
Ends
 
Words: 595
 
Ref: DPR20069
 
Picture caption: Fully charged: Andy Duffield, New Vehicle Sales Manager at Mitchells Lowestoft, with Lauren Major, Administrative Co-ordinator at OrbisEnergy show off the ease with which motorists can recharge their electric car
 

No comments:

Post a Comment