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Credit Crunch

You are in: Guernsey > Credit Crunch > Electric Car

Electric Car

One of the electric cars in the workshop

Electric Car

Are electric cars the solution to rising fuel prices? We asked a local manufacturer.

Mark Parr is the director of the Electric Vehicle Company which has produced the Guernsey Smart EV.

He is confident of the potential of this new car as it looks like a smart car but it is claimed its new electric engine can do a mile for less than a penny.

"It has a top speed for 60 mph and has no gears to worry about so the acceleration is very smooth and so is the braking," said Mark Parr.

It took four four years to develop, with the final product being the fifth prototype: "We've used all different types of battery technologies."

Electric Car

One being built

"It is an emerging industry, there is a lot of people working on it, and no doubt there will be competition from the 'big boys' so we're just carrying on as we think it is ideal for Guernsey," he said.

"Now people are realising the cost of fuel, electric is becoming viable."

Asked if there will be a drain on power if everyone switched to electric cars, Mark Parr said that each car uses about ten kilowatts and charges for six hours overnight.

How do they compare on price? Well at £15,000 the electric is twice as expensive as a petrol smart car but Mark Parr said that with the savings on fuel and servicing after six years it would prove a better buy.

last updated: 17/07/2008 at 11:08
created: 16/07/2008

Have Your Say

Would you swap petrol for electric?

The BBC reserves the right to edit comments submitted.

Angie Willis
I think electric cars are the way to go in Guernsey. I should like to see the States taking the lead in this direction. How about tying in with the paid parking and having designated parking spaces in town with power points for recharging the vehicles. With either the electricity or parking free.

Jamie Swanson
Not until the amortisation period becomes much shorter. And with world oil prices low this is working against the EV on cost grounds. On environmental grounds there are also pros and cons. Obviously the polution is shifted to the power station but as petrol engines become cleaner this argument weakens as well!However if it'll make sense anywhere it's in Guermsey where average speeds are low and average distances are even lower, so an overnight charge at home should suffice for the whole day. Good luck to a local industry, employing local people.

Ted
They're working on a Fiat Panda right now. www.evc.gg

Alex
Very expensive for anyone to want to change now, but as the technology becomes more powerful and cheaper, this will definitely be one to watch. But for now, I'll stick to my Petrolhead guns.

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