What is claimed to be the world's only crash-tested and highway-certified electric car was revealed at the British International Motor Show last week. The new TH!NK city car offers zero emissions, zero CO2, low cost of ownership and silence. The car has a top speed of 100km/hr (65mph) and an in-town range of 200km (126 miles) on a full charge.

The Norwegian makers of the TH!NK city car claim that the running costs are not much more €100 per 10,000 km. This latest environmentally friendly car is considered to be a true urban car not a motorbike conversion. The car claims to have an energy efficiency level that is three times that of a traditional combustion engine car. And the makers claim that it is 95% recyclable. The Norwegian pioneers of the TH!NK city car have 17 years experience in electric vehicles.

The two-seater urban car accelerates from zero to 50km/hr in just 6.5 seconds and to 80 km/hr in 16 seconds. It requires just an overnight top-up of electricity and can travel for 200km in city driving on a fully charged battery. To charge the batteries from 20% capacity to 80% takes just four hours.

TH!NK city is designed to meet the strict safety requirements of both Europe and the USA, as a genuinely-safe road car. It is the world's only crash-tested and highway-certified EV. The car is equipped with ABS brakes, airbags and three-point safety belts with pretensioners and it surpasses all European and US requirements.

TH!NK city's body is made of recyclable ABS plastic, designed specifically for city driving. Not only is it ideal for motorists who want to avoid visible scratches and irritating dents, the unpainted, self-coloured plastic bodywork also reduces both energy consumption and toxins, while making the panels easier to recycle. The battery is returned to the supplier at the end of its useable life.

Standard equipment on each TH!NK city includes power steering, central locking, a 4kW electric heater, and electric windows and mirrors. Optional equipment will include air conditioning, a pre-heat timer, electrically heated windscreen, full length sunroof, Radio CD with MP3, USB, Bluetooth, a navigation & multimedia system, alloy wheels, roof rack and 2 + 2 child seats (including 3-point seat belts).

Production started this year in Norway, and the first batch of right-hand drive cars will be delivered in summer 2009. Prices of the TH!NK city will be announced closer to the on-sale date.

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