John Lewis launches electric minibus

This Christmas, John Lewis Oxford Street will be the first retailer to offer shoppers an environmentally sustainable way to travel to the West End.

The department store is introducing an electrically-powered, nine-seat "business class" customer shuttle bus. The service, which is operated by Green Urban Transport Sustainable initiative (GUTSi), will provide shoppers with a green alternative to driving their cars into central London.

Noel Saunders, managing director of John Lewis Oxford Street, said: "We're proud to be leading the way by offering our customers and the 40 million shoppers expected to visit the West End over the festive season an environmentally-friendly and luxury way to travel."

The unique GUTSi vehicle is based on the Smith Edison chassis, which is manufactured by Smith Electric Vehicles.

GUTSi has designed its minibus with high quality, recycled materials and it is fitted with leather seats, wi-fi and laptops. Powered by wind turbine electricity, the GUTSi shuttle is truly zero emission, saving over half a kilo of CO2 emissions per mile - and it costs just £5 to 'fill the tank'.

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, said: "It is fantastic that shoppers will be able to travel in style this Christmas in a super, clean and green electric shuttle bus. I am a huge fan of electric vehicles which have no fumes belching out of their exhaust pipes and I want to make these eco-friendly, fuel bill-busting vehicles an easier choice for motorists in London."

John Lewis will be the only department store to host the GUTSi shuttle and there are plans to expand the service to all John Lewis London branches, with 20 vehicles expected to be operating across the capital in 2010.

Andy MacLachlan, founder and chief executive of GUTSi said: "GUTSi is an innovative and sustainable transport solutions company, which uses the most advanced low carbon electric vehicle technology, reflecting the latest in cutting edge, eco-friendly automotive design."

Mark Field, MP for Cities of London & Westminster said: "Having experienced the GUTSi service I believe it will be an asset to London, offering an attractive sustainable alternative. It was extremely comfortable, quiet and quick and represents a very clever step towards making London a greener, cleaner city for all."

For more information on the GUTSi service for John Lewis and its timetable, please visit gogutsi.com.