Apes are the Answer
Cheap transport for London from an unlikely source
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With congestion charging only a few days off, Reliant – famous for the production of the three wheeled Robin - are providing London commuters an opportunity to avoid over £100 a month in congestion charges. The downside is that you have to drive one of their new 'Apes'.
Reliant’s newest model - the Ape (which they reckon should be pronounced App-ey 
) is classified as a moped – and is therefore exempt from the daily charges. It is also available as a pure electric vehicle and under this classification is exempt as well.
Being a moped with a 49.5 cc petrol engine allows it to be driven from the age of 16 – as long as the driver has taken their compulsory basic training (C.B.T.) test.
As an electric vehicle, the driver is also exempt from the normal road fund licence and running costs work out at less than 1 penny a mile.
The Ape is a single seater with moped style steering handlebars. The petrol version has a separate clutch lever and throttle with braking all round on all three wheels while the electric version has fully automatic gearing with full "twist and go’" throttle controls.
'Features' include a padded bench seat, seat belt, side opening windows, twin side view mirrors, radio/speaker kit and cigarette lighter.
The van body provides over 1 cubic metre of load space – ideal for local London deliveries.
The electric version plugs into a standard domestic 13-amp socket and automatically recharges until full. This is sufficient for in excess of 35 miles driving with a maximum speed of 30 miles per hour.
With a price tag of £2675.00 Pickup’s cost could be recouped back in just under 18 months.
Whilst we don't expect many executives to be slinging their briefcase in the back and heading to the office in these - the low price is going to appeal to businesses who have to operate in the Congestion Charging zone. There could be a lot of Ape buzzing around within 12 months.
www.uk.piaggio.com/apecross/index.asp
so are Reliant Robin prices going to soar...? 
www.techtv.com/news/culture/story/0,24195,3386884,00.html
Check out the torque - 1000ft/lbs
and a possible 400bhp The size of it would also make it handy for central London too. Seems the ideal solution to the congestion charge. Regards John S
>> Edited by John_S4x4 on Friday 14th February 21:04
John_S4x4 said: I noticed the bit above about the electric cars being exempt from Kens charge and tax....and I came up with this link, for a 2 seater electric car
www.techtv.com/news/culture/story/0,24195,3386884,00.html
Check out the torque - 1000ft/lbs
Regards John S
>> Edited by John_S4x4 on Friday 14th February 21:04
s' been 'ere:
www.pistonheads.com/fastcars/default.asp?storyId=3468
The exemption is for - and I quote "Powered Two Wheelers"
The Ape has 3 wheels and therefore isn't exempt
Presumably the electric one is exempt?
I quote "To qualify for the alternative fuel vehicle discount from congestion charging, your vehicle must be
powered by an alternative fuel and not solely by
petrol or diesel (bi/dual fuel vehicles are eligible)."
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