THE electric future of motoring purred into Hereford when Simon Crowfoot, managing director of Ecotricity's electric highway programme and a board director of Ecotricity Group Ltd, described the next generation of electric cars to the Health, Wealth and Green Living event at the Courtyard Theatre. Ecotricity has invested £10m ensuring there is a charging point in every motorway services in the UK by the end of the year.

Delegates were able to take a ride in a new electric BMWi3, which is one of many electric vehicles that has no road tax costs, no company car tax and costs around 10 per cent of the cost of running an ordinary petrol of diesel car. For example a Nissan leaf costs about £2 to charge fully. Mr Crowfoot also talked about the new Tesla cars which are about to be launched in the UK, describing them as being "faster than a Ferrari, looking like a Maserati and capable of travelling 300 miles between charges".

The event organised by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, Herefordshire Greenlinks, Herefordshire Council and sponsored by Eco Business West Midlands, provided a showcase for the best energy-saving products, services and innovative business projects. Companies from a range of green businesses were exhibiting, providing an opportunity for networking.

Anna Nandihalli, founder of green business Maple Sustainability said: "This has been a great opportunity to meet other people involved in the green economy and learn about different businesses which are interested in green future of Herefordshire."

James Bridges from Resource Efficient Worcestershire added: "It has been great to talk to businesses who are interested in reducing energy efficiency and boosting their bottom line.'"