Magazine - 15/05/06

 

By Laurent Meillaud

 

In early April, the Principality hosted the EVER Monaco show, which sets out to be the benchmark event on the theme of the electric car, and more generally of the "clean" car. Indeed all energies were accepted in Monaco, from electricity to hybrid, not forgetting the fuel cell.

 

As everybody knows, respecting the environment is one of the fundamental values of the Principality of Monaco. And Prince Albert is the first to set an example with his official car, which is none other than. a hybrid. It is in fact a Lexus RX400h which, thanks to a combination of electricity and petrol, is one of the least polluting 4X4s on the market. So it was entirely natural for Monaco to be associated with the EVER (Ecologic Vehicles - Renewable Energies) show, which now takes place every year*.

 

Organised for professionals and the public alike, this event was an opportunity to present new vehicles and take stock of a certain number of topical issues, in the presence of experts. Visitors were able to attend conferences on sustainable mobility, renewable energies and car sharing.

 

The high point of the show was unquestionably the presentation of the Venturi Fetish (photo opposite © Venturi) in the streets of Monaco. Imagine a GT capable of competing with a Ferrari on start-up and top speed, but equipped with an electric motor and lithium-ion batteries! This incredible vehicle comes with a price tag of 450,000 euros (around £300,000)... It is the emblematic model of the former French sports car firm, now run in Monaco by Gildo Pastor.

 

A "car-sharing" café enabled people to discuss the best practices in Europe and the rest of the world over a drink. However, the greatest success was the Ride & Drive. It's not every day that one has the chance to test non-polluting cars in the presence of big manufacturers and industrialists. And, what's more, with the port of Monaco as a backdrop, which normally plays host to noisier high-powered cars.

 

 

Moreover, for the second consecutive year the Automobile Club of Monaco has organised the "Rallye Monte-Carlo Fuel Cells & Hybrids", backed by the FIA (International Automobile Federation) and with an itinerary starting from Lugano (Switzerland) and finishing at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, via Turin (Italy). As its name suggests, this rally is for vehicles powered by an electric motor, hybrid engine or fuel cell. Last year it was won by former F1 racing driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen, at the wheel of a hydrogen-powered Vauxhall/Opel Zafira. This year a hybrid car claimed victory. But that is just a detail. The important thing is to show that alternative energies can take to the road and, in this respect, Monaco is contributing towards raising awareness of these solutions. (Photo © agence Miti)

 

*Previously, Monaco organised an annual electric car show. In 2005 the Principality hosted the EVS 21 symposium, which brought together the world's greatest experts. Since then, the decision was made to create a "clean" vehicle show under the name of EVER Monaco.