New Lithium-ion G-Wiz extends range to 75 miles

GoinGreen, the UK distributor of the G-Wiz, has today revealed it is to increase its focus on corporate customers as it prepares to launch a new version of the iconic electric vehicle that will have almost double the range of previous models.

The company announced today that it has started taking orders for the new G-Wiz L-ion and will begin delivering the car to UK customers in May. The car is said to be the first mainstream electric vehicle to be powered by Lithium-ion batteries and is expected to have a top speed of 51 miles per hour and a range of 75 miles between charges – an improvement of almost double the 40-mile range of current G-Wiz models.

Steve Hartridge, managing director of GoinGreen, said that the Lithium-ion battery was also lighter than the lead acid battery used in previous models and as a result would deliver improved handling and acceleration as well as more consistent performance.

"The discharge behaviour of Lithium-ion batteries is a lot better than lead acid, so you more consistently achieve the projected range regardless of the speed at which you drive," he said, adding that the new battery also performs better in colder temperatures compared to the previous model.

According to figures from GoinGreen, the extended range means that the car can now be used for 97 per cent of all UK car journeys without the need for a recharge.

Hartridge said that the improved range would not only make the car more attractive to commuters but would also make it a viable proposition for city-based corporate customers.

"The arrival of Lithium-ion opens the door to fleet buyers," he said. "We will not be used by sales teams that travel around the country yet, but for people moving around the city it is attractive and we want to make sure more corporate buyers are aware of the tax breaks the government now offers for these types of low-carbon cars."

The new car will be launched alongside a new fast-charge station that will allow drivers to recharge the battery to 90 per cent capacity within an hour and full capacity within one-and-a-half hours. Using conventional charge points, the battery will take six hours to recharge, but will require 20 per cent less energy than previous models.

The new G-Wiz L-ion will be priced from £15,795 and Hartridge said that hire-purchase deals were likely to be made available.