Electric cars prove popular among drivers

Car hire customers may find that they enjoy driving electric low-carbon vehicles in the future, after the first trial of these motors proved a "major success".

During the six-month trial in the north-east, some 264 people tested the electric cars, with 72 per cent stating that they would be happy to use the vehicle as their regular form of transport.

Cenex – the UK’s centre of excellence for low-carbon and fuel cell technologies – in conjunction with regional development agency One North East found that the cars exceeded the public’s expectations in terms of performance.

Drivers found the vehicles to be "easy, safe and reliable", with motorists in the 20 to 30 age group demonstrating the most willingness to own an electric car.

Car manufacturer Nissan recently announced that the UK price of its Leaf model – the world’s first ever zero-emission car – will be £23,350 after a £5,000 discount incentive from the government is applied.

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