Wheels start turning on British electric car plans

The government has today announced it is to invest £4.5m in a high-profile project to develop the world's most efficient electric car.

The money will make up half of a £9m research and development project that will see British car firms Gordon Murray Design and Zytek Automotive Technology develop four prototypes of the vehicle – known as the T.27 – by February 2011.

"The T27 is a great example of smart engineering and sustainable design," said science and innovation minister Lord Drayson. "It's timely too, as the UK must demonstrate its readiness to exploit the emerging low-carbon vehicles market. The challenge is far greater than simply meeting stricter EU emissions targets. We need to expand our car industry through green innovation."

The protype vehicle might not look particularly high tech in its current guise, but it features a customised lightweight drivetrain, gearbox, motor and battery technologies, all of which are designed to significantly extend the range of the electric vehicle.

The body panels are made from material recycled from plastic bottles, while the consortium says that its simplified manufacturing process means the final version of the vehicle will have total life cycle carbon emissions 27 per cent lower than similar electric vehicles.

"The iStream manufacturing process behind the T.27 is all about sustainable, low-energy process by design," said former McLaren Formula One designer Gordon Murray. "An opportunity to start from a clean sheet of paper combined with our disruptive manufacturing technology will result in a product which truly pushes the boundaries of urban vehicle design."

Once the prototypes are developed, the consortium hopes to build a more permanent manufacturing facility to bring the car to the global market.

Technical support for the project will be provided by tyre manufacturers Michelin and Continental and sub-contractors will include MIRA Limited, Vocis Driveline Controls, VCA UK, and ENAX, the group said.