Britain's electric car -- fantasy or cure?

• Source: xinhua
• [12:50 April 19 2009]
• Comments

"GREEN CAR REVOLUTION"

Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced plans for Britain to be at the forefront of a "green car revolution" during his speech at the Group of Eight industrial nations in 2008.

 He suggested that by 2020, all new cars sold in Britain could be electric or hybrid vehicles producing less than 100g/km of carbon dioxide.

This week, business secretary Mandelson repeated the prime minister's vision, saying, "We in Britain need to lead this revolution."

 But the government's plans are already falling behind those of other countries. Later this year, China is set to launch a family electric car, the E6, which is seen by its manufacturer, BYD Auto, as a solution to global warming.

The E6 also is expected to put China on the map as a major car manufacturer as it extends its reach into Europe as early as 2010.

Since the E6 has a top speed of 160 km/h and a range of 300 km, other manufacturers will have a lot to live up to.

Brown this week has pledged to inject money into companies such as Nissan and Jaguar Land Rover to get electric cars rolling off the production line by 2011. But some think it may prove to be too little and too late.