ELECTRIC motoring for less than 1p a mile sparked interest at the weekend. The Electric Vehicle Company was inundated with visitors wanting to find out more about the Guernsey Smart EV.
After four years of development, the car gives a range of up to 65 miles, regulated to a top speed of about 42mph. Local production of the vehicle has now started.
‘We felt that the island was the ideal place for electric cars. We talked about it for ages and said in the end, let’s make one,’ said Electric Vehicle Company director Mark Parr (pictured).
‘We spent four years developing it for here, have done five different prototypes now and got it to the stage where we’ve developed something we think is practical for island use.’
Rising fuel prices led to increasing interest in electric vehicles, he said.
The electric Smart costs about £15,000, about £4,000 more than a petrol equivalent.
But with low running costs for the electric version, Mr Parr said that after five years the costs were similar.
He has been involved in engineering since working at Tektronix and also owns other engineering companies in Guernsey.
‘I think electric is coming of age, I think the timing is right and if you drive it you see it’s a very pleasant experience,’ he said.
Nicholas Drake, 65, was one of hundreds who went down to the company’s base at Rocquaine to see what was on offer.
He said the main interest was in the running cost.
‘With fuel going up so quickly at the moment the prospect of having a car that runs for 1p a mile sounds quite attractive,’ he said.
‘But you have to offset that against the fairly high cost in the first place.’
The Electric Vehicle Company’s development programme is continuing with a four-seat vehicle in the pipeline.
There has been interest from the UK for its possible use in London as it would avoid the congestion charge.
Guernsey Electricity has ordered one and it has also been demonstrated to Sir Alan Sugar.
Article posted on 14th July, 2008 - 2.29pm
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