There's lots of green-car action taking place at this years British International Motor Show (BIMS) and although we can't be there in person, our vlogger pal Danny is. Today, Danny has a fresh interview with Darryl Siry from Tesla who was at the show to check out the Lightning GT reveal accompany a Roadster while it sits on display for the public to longingly cast their eyes upon. Mr. Siry was forthcoming in answering most of his queries and we were able to glean a few interesting bits of Tesla news.

The most important information was about the state of European Roadster sales. Although he wouldn't give an exact figure, Danny did manage to wrest from the marketing VP that they've sold several dozen, in fact, they are "pretty soon going to close in on a hundred". They expect to sell the entire European allotment of 250 units for 2008 before the end of the year. Another eyebrow raiser was the mention of plans for Euro stores, including one on the outskirts of London, possibly in the direction of Surrey. They go on to discuss other things such as the Model S deployment strategy, batteries and the Roadster drivetrain 1.5. If you're in need of a Tesla fix with a British accent, hit the jump.

[Source: Danny's Contentment]

The freshly unveiled all-electric Lightning GT we showed you yesterday is certainly garnering a lot of attention and video tape at this years British International Motor Show. We received a message from British electric-car vlogger, Danny, telling us he had footage of the hi-tech silver beauty having its shroud publicly removed. We rushed to watch it and happily discovered he also had his own mini Q & A session with Lightning Car Company representative, Chris Dell. We got to hear some very interesting tidbits that answer some of the questions we've been getting. For instance, the range is less than we hoped for at about 150 to 180 miles (this should come as no surprise since the Altairnano batteries only have half the energy density of the cells used by Tesla). However, the size of the 36 Kwh battery pack can be increased. Mr Dell informs us the "nought to sixty" time should be under 4 seconds with its top speed limited to 130 mph. Just as impressive as its Tesla-challenging numbers was the way it looked with its linen removed, spinning on the turntable.

Another comment we heard a lot yesterday was that it's still vapor because it's not driveable. Our second video, though brief, dumps a lake full of cold water on this assumption. From RockaboxMedia comes teaser footage of the Lightning GT looking quite at home on a length of track. In true teaser fashion, most of the clip is soundless and in slow-motion but they promise they will bring us a full documentary on the creation and launch of the car. Unfortunately, they aren't sharing the embed code so you must go to YouTube to see it.

The last video we want to bring to your attention today is an Al Jazeera news piece that seems to hold the spotlight on the Lightning GT. We are briefly shown the NICE Mega City but most of the report seems to be spent contrasting the Tesla Roadster with the new UK contender. Find out which vehicle the British-accented presenter prefers as well as Danny's video after the jump.


[Source: Danny's Contentment / YouTube]

If you love the Fiat 500 as much as we do, live in the UK and wished you could buy an electric version of this nuovo-retro then you are in luck! The NICE Car Company have announced they will launch the Micro Vette Fiat e500 at the British International Motor Show (BIMS). Micro Vette has a close relationship with Fiat and because their work leaves the vehicle structurally undisturbed, not only is the e500 covered by the full Fiat warranty, but you can also order from the full range of Fiat options.

Powered by lithium-ion polymer batteries, the e500 has a range of 70 miles and will do 60 mph. While maybe not ideal for those with a super long commute, it seems to possess just enough performance to fill its role as an electric city car. It's definitely preferable to driving a G-Wiz (sorry Wizzers). If you're interested in it, let them know at BIMS since they are saying this produced-to-order sweetie is available for a limited time.


[Source: NICE Car Company]

The moment many green-loving speed enthusiasts have been impatiently waiting for has finally arrived with the unveiling of the all-new Lightning GT at the British International Motor Show. The sheet was pulled back around 1 o'clock London time to reveal metal that stays quite true to the earlier rendered version. The long hood has sexy curves that deliver more than a twinge of lust but with a fascia that evokes the eloquence of an Aston Martin, it retains a classy British feel. A walk around the back reveals a brief rounded rear deck with no exhaust pipes to spoil the view. While we couldn't cross the pond for the event, the Lightning Car Company folks were kind enough to supply pictures for the gallery below.

Though quite similar performance-wise, the Lightning GT's builders believe they have some solid advantages over the Tesla Roadster in the technology department. The British sports car features Altairnano batteries which are capable of receiving a full charge in as little as 10 minutes and can last for over 10 years. No transmission troubles here either since the 4 PML Flightlink Hi-Pa Drive™ motors are in the wheels. A high mechanical efficiency is maintained with this all-wheel drive design that also aids greatly in brake regeneration and traction control. With all that function comes a bit of comfort as well. Full leather, air conditioning, sat nav and electronic door entry are all part of the £120,000 package. The Lightning GT team are also able to customize vehicles with made-to-measure interiors and even bodywork modifications, according to the customers wishes. Orders have already been received. If you wish to join this exclusive line-up you'll need to throw down £15,000 and be prepared to wait at least a year.


[Source: The Register]

Click above for more high-res shots of the Honda OSM.

Honda has unveiled a new roadster concept at the British International Motor Show. Named the OSM (for Open Study Model), it shares space with the Honda FCX Clarity and the CR-Z sports hybrid on the Honda stand. Although the press release (found after the jump) does not mention which powertrain defines the prototype as "low emission," it does mention that it's a lightweight vehicle. Honda's intention is to design a car where style meets green credentials. "We're trying to show that low emission cars can be attractive," says Andreas Sittel, Project Leader for OSM. "There is no reason why a car that's more environmentally friendly can't look great too – and be sporty and fun to drive."

[Source: Honda]

It's been a long road for MyCar to make it to the public but now NICE Car Company will call the orphan its own and show it off to the hopefully adoring crowds at the upcoming British International Motor Show (BIMS). First displayed at Motor Show Bologna 2003, the Italian-designed city car for two began life as the product of a joint venture between a company called Innovech and the firm of Giorgetto Giugiaro. After a false start in 2006, MyCar has re-emerged and will make it to market with distribution by NICE and manufacturing by re-named, Hong Kong-based, EuAuto Technology.

With a range of 40 miles and a top speed of 40 mph, this quadricycle sits squarely in G-Wiz territory performance-wise. It does have a few tricks the Indian-built car lacks such as electric windows and mirrors, a choice of removable fiberglass or glass roof and a USB, Mp3 and SD input on its radio. Some of its cooler options include 15' wheels and leather seats as well as techno-geek friendly gadgetry like a laptop dock in the folding passenger seat, bluetooth and sat-nav. Safety hasn't been forgotten either and the car features a collapsible steering column and an energy absorbing front crash structure. Four wheel disc brakes and independent suspension should hopefully keep you out of trouble though. Prices should start at £8,995 when the car goes on sale this Autumn.


[Source: NICE Car Company / CNN / Hong Kong Design Professional]

NICE Car Company has announced another new all-electric addition to their line-up to be debuted at the British International Motor Show (BIMS). This vehicle, which the company classifies as an MPV, they say is "neither a concept nor prototype". Priced at £14k ($27,995.08) NICE is calling this car the first all-electric that fits within a family budget. The Euro-styled, Sino-constructed Ze-O will be available for sale this autumn and will be theoretically capable of 55 mph and have a 65 mile range. An upcoming lithium ion battery option should help out that range considerably. The car is free of emissions and exempt from road tax and congestion charges. Sadly, It bears no resemblance to the other Zeo. Press release after the jump.

[Source: NICE Car Company]

Allied Vehicles has announced they will debut their electric E7 taxi at the upcoming British International Motor Show (BIMS). The company has been building taxis for some time now and are already quite familiar with the Peugeot E7 platform. They also build wheelchair accessible vehicles and have incorporated this ability into their taxi as well. It will join other electric vehicles in the increasingly crowded "Electric Vehicle Village" at BIMS and stay on display for the length of the show.

Currently there is some kind of red-tape technicality with Transport for London's taxi licensing division, the Public Carriage Office, keeping it from the capitol-city streets. However, it should be available for other municipalities by October of this year. The lithium-ion batteries are being supplied by Axeon and should give the cab a 100 mile range and a 60 mph top speed. That's a little faster top end than the TX4E hack that is planned for the UK for 2009. The price tag should read £39,450 ($78,759.51). Considering it comes with a 2-year unlimited mileage warranty on the base vehicle from Peugeot and a 6-year warranty on the battery, comparatively negligible fuel costs and wheelchair accessibility, we think this is one amazing deal.

[Source: The Auto Channel]

The "Electric Vehicle Village" at the British International Motor Show is getting another sports car to keep the Tesla Roadster, also to be on display, from completely hogging the electric-car limelight. The British designed and built Lightning GT will get its world-wide debut at the show which begins on the 23rd of July. Previously we've only been privy to renderings such as the one above and those in the gallery below and are looking forward to seeing what customers will be getting for their £120,000 ($237,716.55) investment.

Though no names were mentioned, it has been disclosed that "lots of people" including several celebrities have already coughed up the £15,000 ($29,716.42) deposit to go to the front of the queue. We would hazard a guess that Top Gear presenter and electric car non-aficionado, Jeremy Clarkson, is not one of those celebrities despite the fact that, with a claimed 0 to 60 time of 4 seconds and a 130 mph top speed, it is no G-Wiz.


[Source: The Guardian]

The British International Motor Show will be the backdrop for the latest Honda reveal; a lightweight, low CO₂ sports car concept called the OSM. The acronym stands for Open Model Study and speculation runs rife that it somehow related to the upcoming CR-Z hybrid coupe slated for 2009 production. Drivetrain details were not released so it is unknown if it is envisioned as another hybrid, though it will probably have some type of internal combustion engine as it is referred to as "low CO₂" and not "CO₂ free." Company spokesperson, Steve Kirk, did say it wasn't meant as a replacement for the rear wheel drive S2000.

The convertible was penned at the company's German R&D center in Offenbach and, if the concept goes from clay to metal and eventually makes it to showrooms, Honda has hopes it will further boost their "green image". Though it still early days, judging by the drawing, the OSM should be true to its apparent homophone, "awesome."

[Source: Automotive News Europe {sub-req'd}]

We briefly mentioned earlier that the NICE Car Company would be showing its Super Light Electric Sport Car concept at this year's British International Motor Show (BIMS) along with some other to-be-introduced models (including, we hear, a face-lifted Mega city) from the company. While that's pretty cool, NICE won't be the only electric car company in the house. Nope. Word on the street (ok, it was a press release) is that there will be a veritable cornucopia of electric car companies assembled to create what they are calling, "The Electric Vehicle Village."

Sponsored by Co-operative Insurance, the "Village" will feature 20 different vehicles including the Tesla Roadster and its antithesis, the Reva G-Wiz, as well as an offering from an entirely new brand, currently existing in apparent stealth mode called, "Quiet Cars." Beside the cars to look at, there will be demonstrations held of the Elektrobay on-street recharging station from Elektromotive. The event kicks of on the 23rd of July and runs until the 3rd of August. Organizers are expecting over half a million souls to pass through the gates. All the details can be read from the press release after the break.