BRENTWOOD, Essex, 6th July, 2011 – The Transport Minister, Norman Baker MP, today opened a new solar assisted electric vehicle charging facility at the Centre of Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence (CEME) in Rainham, East London.  Ford Transit Connect Electric vehicles were the first users of the facility, known as eTap, installed by Essex-based company Use The Sun Ltd.

Nissan has been awarded Green-Car-Guide’s Greenest Manufacturer of the Year Award for showing real commitment and leadership with the launch of the all-electric Nissan LEAF.

Green-Car-Guide.com presents its Greenest Manufacturer Award every year with the aim of recognising manufacturers that have made a special contribution by offering motorists more efficient, lower carbon vehicles – as long as they are also great to drive.

It has been the market-leading hybrid car since its inception back in 1997, and now the Toyota Prius is ready to enter the next stage of its development.

The vehicle, which is sold in more than 70 countries and regions, was the first mass-produced hybrid car and in September last year reached more than two million cumulative sales. Now in its third generation it is ready to expand into an entire family of vehicles as it looks to fend off increased competition and remain the front runner in what is no longer a niche sector.

Nottingham, UK, 04 April 2011 – 3D Laser Mapping has delivered the first long-range laser scanner in the UK. Purchased by Mining Surveys (UK) the VZ-1000 allows for high speed, non-contact surveying at distances of up to 1,400 metres making it ideal for use in inhospitable and difficult to access areas. The narrow laser beam and fast scanning mechanism enables superior performance and accuracies of measurement, even under adverse weather conditions.