Premier despatch eco pods onto SE1 streets

Capable of 60 miles per gallon, the bubble-shaped vehicles are clean, economical to run and represent the latest investment in the courier despatch division of Risborough Street-based Premier Despatch, the multi-million pound company founded by chairman Kevin Jenkins in 1990.

Jenkins says of the new fleet: "This is the most ingenious dispatch vehicle for over decade. They are great fun and avoid the emissions that suffocate the city with pollution. The Q pod will put a smile on a lot of people's faces when they see it at work delivering parcels to London's businesses."

Safer than quad bikes, Q pods have full rollover protection and are easy to drive, with automatic transmission, a twist throttle and a traditional brake pedal. Top speed is 45 mph. They produce only 80.7gms of CO2 per km. The cars, which are made from Peugeot components and have a Lombardini engine, are manufactured by the French company, SECMA. They are distributed in the UK by Unique Motor Company whose chairman – TV presenter and environmentalist Noel Edmonds – launched the vehicles in 2004.