Climatecars was a London based private hire car service which used solely hybrid and electric cars in its fleet. The company promoted itself as a green alternative to black taxi and minicab companies based in London. In 2015, Climatecars was acquired by car service company Addison Lee.
History
Climatecars was founded in 2007 by Nicko Williamson, a University of Bristol graduate.Staff Writer. "Nigel Vaz's people worth knowing: the SapientNitro European MD and guest-editor of The Drum reveals top social entrepreneurs to watch". The Drum, 2014 06 26."Nicko Williamson Talks About Launching Climatecars, His London Eco Car Service". The Huffington Post UK. 17 December 2012. Williamson studied the market and worked for an existing car service before starting his company.
Like other private car services, Climatecars were booked online or over the telephone, usually charged fixed prices, and could not use bus lanes."Updated: Climatecars drives into Addison Lee boycott row". Business Green, 20 April 2012 Jessica Shankleman Drivers were required to pass a less stringent test than taxi drivers.
In 2011, the company raised £200,000 from Clydesdale bank and used the money to expand its fleet of vehicles."Climatecars steers forward with £200,000". Growth Business, 13 April 2011 That year Williamson was voted Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year, received a BusinessGreen Leader Award,"BusinessGreen Leaders Awards 2011: Nicko Williamson electrifies the green taxi market". BusinessGreen, 13 July 2011 Will Nichols and was also awarded the Young Entrepreneur of the Year award at the Fast Growth Business Awards Ceremony.
In 2013, Sam Cropper was appointed CEO of Climatecars."How I Work: Sam Cropper, CEO of Climatecars". Lifehacker, 8 Dec 2014Donna Ferguson. "What are the highest paid jobs of 2014?". the Guardian. At that time the company was operating about 100 vehicles.Super User. "New CEO Cropper promises rapid growth at Climatecars"."TechReview - The latest Future Technology, Education and Environmental News". In 2015, Climatecars was acquired by car service company Addison Lee,"Addison Lee acquires Young Gun-founded car service Climate Cars". Startups, 21 May 2015. by Henry Williams as a way of expanding its fleet while reducing average emission rates."Addison Lee gets into zero emission gear with Climate Cars acquisition". Business Green, 26 May 2015 Jessica Shankleman. At the time of its acquisition, Climatecars had 115 vehicles.
Technology and environment
Climatecars used hybrid and fully electric cars to keep emissions to a minimum. Their fleet was made up primarily of the Toyota Prius hybrid"Investigations - Science and Technology - When will we see a green taxi industry? - The Ecologist". The Ecologist. 23 August 2010. plus some fully electric Renault Fluence vehicles.Mihnea Radu. "First Renault Fluence Z.E. Delivered in UK". autoevolution. Climatecars emissions from the Prius were 89 g/km and the Fluence were 71g/km (when charged off the UK grid), which was less than the 233 g/km of the latest Black Taxi (LTI TX4) in 2015."Climatecars launches first ever zero-emission minicab" . EN Kirsty Hewitt
References
External links
Company website