A car with a top speed of 50 miles per hour and a range of 53 miles is not everyone's idea of progress.

But when it is almost silent, gives off no emissions and costs only 45p for a 'full-tank', Barnet Council's new electric car could be the future for travel in London.

The new Ford Think City which the council took delivery of last week, will be used by neighbourhood management services as part of their fleet. It will have to be charged for eight hours at the council's depot in Bittacy Hill, Mill Hill, to give it a full-tank. It joins the existing 20 vehicles run on liquid petroleum gas which is half the price of diesel and produces fewer emissions.

Cabinet member for environment, councillor Brian Coleman, said: "Although the electric car is an exciting development, there needs to be vast improvements in battery technology before they can be used in significant numbers. However, all contributions to reducing pollution are welcome."

The Metropolitan Police started using two of the same cars in February and will assess their impact during a three-year trial period. Electric cars will be exempt from the Mayor of London's proposed congestion charging.

Barnet Council will soon be launching a car-sharing web site for council employees in conjunction with Middlesex University, other local authorities and hospital trusts.

June 19, 2002 15:00