Green is Go at Green Motor Expo

Camden businesses and residents including TV presenter Gail Porter discovered a wide range of green transport options at Regent’s Place last week. The Green Motor Expo hosted by London Borough of Camden and backed by Transport for London reflects the Council’s commitment to tackle climate change, improving air quality and the environment both globally and locally for future generations.

Camden Council Leader Cllr Keith Moffitt said: "In a central London borough like Camden it is very important that we use sustainable modes of transport - this means less congestion and fewer emissions. The Green Motor Expo provided residents and businesses a fantastic opportunity to discover the very latest information including the cost benefits of green vehicles and testing the cars performance by having a drive."

Councillor Knight, executive member for environment, Camden Council "Camden Council is absolutely committed to taking our share of the responsibility for tackling climate change, improving air quality and improving the environment both globally and locally for future generations. Events like the Green Motor Expo are important in helping encourage more alternative environmentally friendly transport options.

“It's really encouraging to hear that exhibitors attracted serious enquiries about their eco-friendly vehicles, and noticed a real willingness to switch to the greener option. We hope visitors left knowing they can cut costs and emissions without compromising on style or performance."

The hands-on event meant that visitors could really experience the eco transport scene including the opportunity to ride on a power assisted skate board, a whizz on a bike or scooter, test their eco-driving skills on a simulator, and finish with a drive around London in one of the many test drive vehicles available.

Two residents finally managed to beat Revolve and TfL's green transport experts in the last half hour of the eco-driving competition - winning a Navman satnav and year's free membership with Streetcar. The car-club displayed the UK’s first shared “plug-in” hybrid, nicknamed “Optimus Prius”.

Other highlights included a new sportier version of the Volvo S40 DRIVe (What Car? 2009 Green Award winnner), Honda's new hybrid Insight (the cheapest mass production family hybrid on the market), the public debut of the Riversimple Urban Car prototype, and green commercial vehicles already in use on London streets. Guest speakers included Alex Germanis (Courier Systems) and David Clement-Horton (AV2Hire). Vehicle comparisons and “greener fleet” success stories can be found at greenmotorexpo.com.

Gail Porter addressed the crowd via a PA system delivered by bicycle and made a ‘Green Promise’ to keep using low-carbon transport - she has already given up her 4x4 for a tandem. Camden Council hope that the event will inspire fellow Camden residents to do the same.

Steven Glaser, from event organisers Revolve said “We expect to display green transport in action around the country during the next 24 months. Nothing is ever as good as a hands-on event, we’re really encouraged by the enthusiasm of the visitors, the format of these one day events works really well.” Revolve would welcome feedback from expo visitors, via greenmotorexpo.com.