Is the time for the rise of the electric car?

by MATTHEW PRESSMAN

New chancellor Alistair Darling has firmly nailed his environmental colours to the mast in his first budget by substantially increasing vehicle excise duty for larger vehicles; although to many motorists and motoring organisations he has combined a huge stick with a tiny carrot in order to persuade drivers to opt for smaller or more environmentally friendly vehicles.

From the beginning of the 2010-11 tax year vehicle excise duty will not be payable for any vehicle that emits less than 130grams of CO2 per kilometre, presenting a glorious opportunity for the promotion of bio-fuel and electric cars.

American motor manufacturers are already converting traditional petrol-driven performance cars into totally electric versions. Now, at least one British firm is getting in on the act, but building their cars from scratch. The Lightning Car Company is promising to deliver a 700 BHP electric car capable of accelerating from 0-60 in four seconds, a full second faster than the high-performance Jaguar 4.2 XKR convertible, and with two-thirds more BHP.

With a top speed thought to be in the region of 130 mph the performance electric car is sure to be a hit with those who are both concerned about the environment and also in possession of very healthy bank balances; for, it will cost approximately ?150,000 to buy a Lightning and deposits of ?15,000 are now being taken. Whether you��d able to get car finance on one of these beauties is another matter, but under current legislation you definitely won��t have to pay any car tax!

Although, ultra-expensive high performance electric cars may be all well and good for the rich and famous, the real challenge is for manufacturers to produce economic, family size vehicles capable of similar performance to petrol-driven cars, but will possess enough battery life to allow for reasonably lengthy journeys.

Current mass market, family size electric cars tend to have a maximum range of 50 miles, which is fine for an inner city commute, but hardly anything else. However, Telsa Motors in the USA are hinting that their new family size electric car - due to be produced later this year - will retail for approximately ?45,000. Although half the price of the first versions produced by the American manufacturer the cost is still prohibitive for most families, but at least is going in the right direction.

Unfortunately, the reality is that until electric cars can be produced as cheaply as regular petrol driven models it seems that the average car owner in the UK will have no choice but to bite the bullet and pay the chancellor��s new vehicle excise duty rates.