News
HRH launches the Brighton-to-London Eco-Car Rally at Hampton Court Palace
3rd June 2007
The Prince of Wales launched the Brighton-to-London Eco-Car Rally today and tried out a number of new eco-cars at Hampton Court Palace, London.
During the event, The Prince met engineers from leading car manufacturers and saw a number of cars that use potential future fuels and technologies.
His Royal Highness even took the opportunity to take some of the newest vehicles for a spin including some that are powered by hydrogen fuel cells, hydrogen ICE, hybrids and biofuels.
The Prince stepped into the driving seat of a Honda Civic Hybrid – the exterior of which was painted with rainbows, clouds and a smiling sun.
The automatic petrol and electric motored car was launched in 2006 and sales went up by 500 per cent this year.
His Royal Highness also drove a Saab Bio-power 9-3 convertible which runs on bio-ethanol E85 made from fermented plant matter.
The Prince was joined at the event by former racing driver Sir Stirling Moss and environmentalist Zac Goldsmith.
Sir Stirling showed The Prince the unusual plastic smart key which plugs into the centre of the car near the gear stick rather than by the wheel.
Sir Stirling said: "He got into the Saab and they're notorious for the keys. I was just showing him a little bit of that."
He added of the eco-vehicles: "I've driven the electric bike and the BMW and I think it's obviously the way to go. They're quiet and the acceleration is terrific."
The Prince also drove a 7 Series BMW Hydrogen 7 and a silver Ford Focus Fuel Cell which both run on hydrogen.
The Prince travelled to Hampton Court in a bio-fuel navy blue Jaguar, which was converted in March this year.
The Brighton to London Rally is being staged by Revolve, which promotes sustainable transport.
The actual rally will be held on World Environment Day (Tuesday 5th June) and will allow many of the major car-manufacturers, a number of innovative small businesses and key UK public-bodies to share their vision for sustainable transport.
Throughout the day of the rally, at Trafalgar Square there will be prototype vehicles on display for the public to see, eco-driving demonstrations and, on a large LED screen, video-clips of the rally vehicles.