Trials of the latest environmentally friendly, electrically-powered cars are currently taking place in Sheffield, to determine whether they are a viable alternative for petrol and diesel fleets at Sheffield City Council and the University of Sheffield.

The Smart EV city car is powered by a 30kW electric motor, has a top speed of 70mph and is exempt from both Vehicle Excise Duty and congestion charges as it does not produce any harmful emissions that damage the atmosphere.

Trials of the zero-emission car have been welcomed by South Yorkshire air quality awareness campaign, Care4Air, who are encouraging people in the region to look at alternative forms of transport such as cycling, walking, public transport or eco-driving, in a bid to reduce the impact of vehicle emissions on local air quality.

Mark Daly, spokesperson for Care4Air, said: “New technologies such as zero emission and hybrid cars can have a positive impact on local air quality as they release significantly less harmful emissions into the atmosphere.  We are delighted that Sheffield is taking the lead when it comes to exploring these new technologies and how they can be integrated into the local transport infrastructure.”

University staff have been rigorously testing battery life, usability and how well the Smart EV copes with Sheffield’s hilly terrain.  The city is one of several places in the UK currently trialling the technology.

Dr Chris Bingham from the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Sheffield, said: “From our initial tests, the electric Smart cars run a lot more economically than traditional petrol or diesel vehicles.  As most journeys people take are under five miles, electric vehicles such as these would be perfect for people making shorter journeys around the city centre.”

He added: ”By using a vehicle with the latest electric technology, such as the Smart ev, motorists will see a large saving on the amount they pay to run their car.  The cost of running a Smart EV is typically two or three pence per mile; around a quarter of the price of petrol.”