One highlight of the Show this year will be the chance for visitors to the Show to see the Mitsubishi i-MiEV which is being driven by EV specialist, Brian Orr, Director of the EV Matters consultancy, in the 2,500 mile Highland Charge. 

The Charge, which is raising money for the Help the Heroes charity, begins in Wokingham and goes around the UK via Inverness, before ending back in Wokingham. The nationwide event is intended demonstrate the feasibiity of covering more than 2,500 miles around the UK completely on renewable energy. 

‘Clearly in a car with a range of only 60 miles, and less on hills and mountains, and with charge points few and far between, it is significant navigational challenge,’ said Brian Orr. 

The car and driver are also one of only two UK entrants in this year’s World Advance Vehicle Expedition (WAVE) in May, which sees 60-80 EVs covering nearly 3,000 miles through France, Belgium, Germany, Austria and Switzerland before returning across France to the UK.     

Amongst other EV highlights at this year’s Show will be BMW’s i3, the first of the company’s new plug-in vehicle sub-brand, which is available in two versions: the pure electric version which covers a typical 80-100 miles on a single charge, and a range extended version which uses a 650cc two-cylinder petrol engine to extend the range to around 180 miles on one tank of fuel.

EV manufacturer Tesla, meanwhile, will be making its stunning new Model S premium sports saloon, recently voted Car of the Year in 2014 in Norway and the Most Stylish Car of the Year 2014 in Switzerland, available for test driving around the world-famous racing circuit.

A host of other manufacturers, including Nissan, Vauxhall, Citroën, Renault, Infiniti, Volvo, Peugeot, Lexus, Toyota, Honda and Hyundai, are also expected to have their latest low emission and EV offerings at the event on display and available for test driving. 

At the same time, electric charging companies, including ABB and Charging Solutions, will also be exhibiting at the Show to allow fleet decision makers to get a complete overview of the infrastructure available. 

‘We are delighted with the number of EV initiatives at this year’s Show and wish Brian Orr all possible success in the Highland Charge.Fleet World is a strong supporter of Help for Heroes so the team wish him all the very best in his fundraising efforts. 

‘The electromobility movement is gaining impetus and Silverstone will be the ideal place to catch up on the very latest new models from a whole host of motor manufacturers,’ said Jerry Ramsdale, Show organiser and publisher of Fleet World. 

This year’s Fleet World Fleet Show will be the first opportunity for many fleet decision makers to test-drive one of the array of exciting new EV launches and discover why electric power could meet the fleet mobility needs of the future. 

However, there will also be an abundance of conventionally powered vehicles for fleet managers to evaluate, and this year the organizers have split the Grand Prix circuit in two, using the National circuit for faster laps, and the International Circuit for road speed drives. 

For those wishing to test drive one of the many 4x4s available and gauge their suitability for their fleets, the Silverstone off-road circuit has been included for the first time. 

At the same time, the infield Stowe Circuit has been designated an eco-driving hub, sponsored by Allstar Card Services, for those manufacturers with strong low-CO2 sub-brands. This will allow them to not only prove the fuel efficiency of their cars, but also to demonstrate how to drive them in the most economical fashion. 

A team of eco-driving experts will also be available on the day to help fleet managers understand how they can achieve, or even exceed, the published fuel consumption figures for popular fleet cars. 

For more details of the Fleet World Fleet Show 2014 please visit www.thefleetshow.co.uk or click here to register: www.thefleetshow.co.uk/visiting