Pure electric vehicles are taking part alongside range extenders and plug-in hybrids for the first time in the famous eco-driving extravaganza, which is again being sponsored by ALD Automotive and organized by Fleet World magazine.

The three new vehicle classes are joining the more familiar diesel and petrol engined cars and vans that traditionally take part in the event, which this year is being held in the picturesque Cotswolds and the rugged Brecon Beacons on Wednesday 8 October and Thursday 9 October.

Several electric vehicle entries have already been received. Fleet World’s own deputy editor Alex Grant has entered a pure electric Renault Zoe, while a team from leasing company ALD Automotive will be attempting the course in an all-electric Nissan LEAF.

They will have to make the best possible use of the recharging network housed at service stations on the 360-mile route, and will be judged on how much power they consume over the course.

Electricity will be measured at 13p per kilowatt hour, while any carbon fuel that the petrol or diesel hybrid vehicles consume will also be taken into account.

Event organiser, Ross Durkin said: ‘This year’s MPG Marathon is showcasing the very latest developments in alternative fuelled vehicles, including pure EVs, range extenders and plug-in hybrids, for the first time. They will compete in their own class alongside the more conventional but increasingly fuel-efficient internal combustion engined models.

‘As we cannot measure the mpg of the electric vehicles in the conventional way, we have devised a method of measuring the energy they consume in completing the course, based on a notional value of 13p per kilowatt hour for electricity used.

‘We will also measure the carbon fuels used by any vehicles that cannot complete the course without relying on their conventional engines.

‘Drivers will have to plan their recharging stops very carefully and at pre-identified recharging points to ensure they keep their EVs as fully charged as is practically possible.

‘In doing so, they will be replicating the real life driving conditions that the growing number of fleet drivers who use EVs encounter every working day. It promises to be an interesting challenge,’ he said.

This year’s MPG Marathon, now in its fourteenth year, will be based at the luxurious Cotswold Water Park Four Pillars Hotel near Cirencester, Gloucestershire. It will again set out to demonstrate that a combination of fuel-efficient cars, advanced fuels, route planning technology and eco-driving skills can be employed to successfully manage the rising cost of fuel.

‘This year’s MPG Marathon will show how a combination of vehicle and driver can make a massive difference to fuel costs and emissions, and demonstrate just how effectively that cost can be managed by achieving exceptional fuel consumption,’ said Ross Durkin.

‘As with last year’s event, competitors will again be required to find their own route between a series of fixed points, in much the same way that any normal driver would be required to do.

‘All cars will again be fitted with Tracker tracking equipment, so we will know exactly where each car has been and how far it has travelled. Entries are now open and it is looking like we will again have a varied and highly competitive field for this year’s event,’ added Durkin.

The event is open to fleet managers, representatives from fleet services, contract hire and leasing and fleet management companies, and from the motor industry plus anyone associated with it.

In previous years, the UK’s most prestigious lean-driving challenge has attracted celebrities, motoring journalists, academics and senior figures from the automotive industry, all striving to see if they can complete the chosen route using as little fuel as possible.

The bar is set very high as last year’s event was won by Nick Chapman and Rosemary Homer from Leicestershire County Council who achieved an amazing average of 88.69 mpg over the total route of 339.3 miles.

Driving a Ford Fiesta ECOnetic 1.6 diesel-engined Titanium model, they out-performed the field of 23 other vehicles with a dazzling array of lean-driving skills. The pair have already confirmed that they will be attempting to defend their crown again this year.

There are eight main classes of passenger cars in this year’s MPG Marathon, restricted to a maximum carbon ceiling of 190g/km, as follows:

Class 1: Passenger cars powered by petrol with CO2 emissions of 110g/km or less

Class 2: Passenger cars powered by petrol with CO2 emissions of 111g/km or more

Class 3: Passenger cars powered by diesel with CO2 emissions of 110g/km or less

Class 4: Passenger cars powered by diesel with CO2 emissions of 111g/km or more

Class 5: Passenger cars powered by hybrid drive systems 

Class 6: Passenger cars powered by plug-in hybrid drive systems

Class 7: Passenger cars powered by range-extender hybrid drive systems

Class 8: Fully electric vehicles.

There are also five classes of light commercial vehicles, which will not have a carbon ceiling, as follows:

Class 9: Light vans and car-derived vans – GVW of less than 2001kg

Class 10: Small vans – GVW between 2001kg and 2600kg

Class 11: Medium vans – GVW between 2601kg and 2800kg

Class 12: Medium vans – GVW between 2801kg and 3499kg

Class 13: Large Vans – GVW of 3500kg.

For more details of the MPG Marathon please phone 01727 739160, or visit the event website at http://www.thempgmarathon.co.uk/