Lexus CT 200h

Lexus will be unveiling their new premium compact model the Lexus CT 200h at the Geneva Motor Show. Powered with a Lexus Hybrid Drive powertrain using a 1.8-litre VVT-i petrol engine and powerful yet compact electric motor, this car is expected to offer class leasing emissions.

Lexus CT 200h

It should enter production in late 2010 and takes its visual looks from the LF-Ch concept car that was shown at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. Drivers will have a choice of four selectable drive models, ECO and NORMAL, plus SPORT mode which focusses on a dynamic performance.

The CT 200h also has an EV (electric motor) mode that allows for ultra-quiet running on the electric motor alone and offers you zero emissions.

Mercedes-Benz Vito in electric mode

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the prototype for a battery powered Vito van that will enter production in 2010. During 2010, more than 100 Mercedes-Benx Vito vans will be delivered to 20 customers, mainly fleet and public sector institutions that wish to transport in environmentally sensitive zones with zero emissions.

Mercedes-Benz Vito charging

The Mercedes-Benz Vito is powered by an electric motor of 90kW and has a limited top speed of 80km/h (approximately 48mph) and uses lithium-ion technology. All the Vito vans come with ESP as standard which incorporates ABS and ASR and there is no loss in payload or load volume compared to a conventionally powered Vito.

Honda 3R-C

The three-wheeled Honda 3R-C one person battery electric vehicle concept will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. This single occupant concept offers zero emissions commuting and has a clear canopy when the vehicle is not in use. When the 3R-C is in motion this also acts as a wind-shield to protect the driver from the weather.

Honda 3R-C

The high sides of the safety shell of this new concept provides driver protection and there is a also a lockable boot area for secure storage of luggage at the front. The Honda 3R-C offers a view of transport in the future and was designed by European designers working at Honda’s Research and Design facility in Milan.

Flextreme GT/E

Vauxhall is set to showcase their Flextreme GT/E, four seat, five-door coupe electric car concept at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The new concept car includes the groundbreaking E-REV driver system, that has already been developed for the Vauxhall Ampera.

The Flextreme GT/E is bigger than the Ampera however reaches a maximum speed of 125mph and is also expected to offer a similar range battery powered driving range of 40 miles, with zero tailpipe emissions. With the small petrol/generator, the lithium-ion battery is re-charged and the range is extended to 300 miles, with CO2 emissions of less than 40g/km.

The car also promises a 0-62mph of less than nine seconds and average fuel consumption is expected to be around 175mpg. The Flextreme GT/E concept has a clean sweeping design and access to the cabin is enhanced using the rear-hinged rear door FlexDoor system, which will also be available in the new Meriva.

Citroen DS HIGH RIDER

Citroen is launching an exciting new concept car design at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The Citroen DS HIGH RIDER is a four seat coupe with a compact and muscular design.

Citroen DS HIGH RIDER

The car rests on 19-inch alloy wheels and is powered by a refined HDI “full hybrid” diesel engine under the bonnet combining with an electric motor at the rear.

The combination allows the DS HIGH RIDER to offer the fuel efficiency and power of an HDI DPFS (diesel particulate filter system) engine but with the green benefits of a new generation electric ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle).

Peugeot Lion

Peugeot is celebrating its 200th anniversary with the unveiling of a new styling direction and a new visual identity. The Lion badge has been updated and will be first seen on the launch of the new RCZ in the Spring of this year.

The new look that Peugeot is promising is best seen in the stunning new SR1 concept car which has a more extreme, stronger and pure expression of the “Peugeot Style” of tomorrow.

The SR1 has a 1.6-litre THP petrol engine at the front with a power output of 218bhp which is also combined with a rear electric motor developing 95bhp.

In electric only mode, the car becomes a Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV). The car in the combination however has a combined fuel cycle consumption of 57.5mpg and CO2 emissions of only 119g/km.  The combined maximum power output of 313bhp is driven by a four wheel drive system and the new SR1 will be officially launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March.  

Peugeot SR1

Electric Volvo C30

Volvo Cars is planning to unveil the next-generation battery electric powered Volvo C30 at the Detroit Motor Show in 2010. The electric Volvo C30 looks like a regular C30 and offers the same space, comfort and four seats as the standard car. Volvo also intends to build a fleet of 50 cars to be used in real-life traffic from 2011 to gather data prior to full production.

Top speed with a fully re-charged battery (which takes about eight hours to charge) is circa 81mph and the car accelerates from 0-60 in less than 11 seconds. The electric motor is powered by Lithium-ion batteries and the car emits zero emissions.

Z.E protoype

Renault will be showcasing protoypes of some of its electric vehicles at the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference and accredited attendees will be allowed to test drive the vehicles as well.

Renault is also forecasting that by 2020, electric vehicles will account for 10 per cent of the world market and has invested (with Nissan) 4 billions euros into its zero-emissions programme.

The protoypes on show will include Fluence Z.E, Kangoo Van Z.E and the Kangoo be bop Z.E. Production versions of these electric vehicles are anticipated to be launched in 2011.