A FLEET of 14 Peugeot 106 electric cars and vans are to operate in Coventry in a year-long trial designed to reduce vehicle emissions and pollution. The £400,000 trial was officially launched by Transport Secretary Sir George Young.

The Coventry Electric Vehicle Project, which complements the Government's commitment towards its national air quality strategy, is co-funded by the Energy Saving Trust. Under the terms of the project Peugeot has joined forces with Coventry City Council, East Midlands Electricity, PowerGen and Royal Mail Coventry. The council will operate two cars and a van, East Midlands Electricity three vans, Peugeot two vans and a car, PowerGen two vans and the Royal Mail a car and two vans.

All the vehicles are expected to be on the road by the end of the year with each operator having a battery recharging point on their premises and the council will establish recharging points at key areas. Peugeot and sister manufacturer Citroen have pioneered a similar two-year exercise in La Rochelle, France, which has stimulated worldwide interest in electric vehicles and, as a result, electric vehicles are now on sale in France.

The Coventry project will be monitored by the Motor Industry Research Association. If the project is a success the Peugeot 106 Electric could be on sale in the UK next year.