Five of the most exciting electric cars ever

Having driven the new Tesla Roadster in London this week, the electric future for car enthusiasts doesn't look as bleak as it used to. The times they are a changin'. Not so long ago all electric cars were lumped into the same category as archaic milk floats, but with more money and expertise behind the development of electric sports cars, they are finally coming good. One of the first to really impress is Tesla's Roadster, but there are others out there too and we suspect that this is only the start.

Lightning GT

The Lightning GT was one of the stars of this year's London Motor Show and its fabulous looks and luxurious interior would have made it a hit alone, but it's what lies beneath the sculpted bonnet that impresses most. How does 700bhp sound to you? Pretty impressive, right? Well, the shock comes when you realise that the GT produces that output from electricity. Using the latest 'Nanosafe' batteries and a high-powered electric motor in each wheel, the Lightning Car Company is claiming a 0-62mph time in the region of four seconds and a top speed around 150mph.

Yet that'll be done in a relatively noiseless car. Another interesting aspect of the GT is that it does away with any disc brakes, instead relying on the motors to slow the car, at the same time feeding charge back into the battery pack. Lightning is taking orders right now, with deposits for £15,000, which suggests that its new GT could come in at a reasonable £150,000. Sounds like extremely good value to us. Fingers crossed it sees the cold light of day.

Venturi Fetish

Though Tesla is stealing all the headlines right now with its Roadster, it was the French company, Venturi, that first created a production two-seat electric sports car in its oddly named Fetish.

First shown in 2002 at the Geneva Show - at a time when the world didn't take electric cars as seriously as they do now - the Fetish was significantly more expensive than the Tesla is and was due to be produced in very limited numbers. Its technical specification is not too dissimilar to the Tesla's though, with lithium-ion batteries and a 250bhp electric motor allowing the sharp two-seater to hit 62mph in less than five seconds and top 100mph. It's about time Venturi took the idea further.

ZAP Alias

Lotus Engineering has been busy. While assisting Tesla in productionising its Roadster, Lotus is also credited with working with US-based ZAP electric car company to develop the Alias sportscar.

That's a bit of a misnomer, as the Alias has actually been licensed as a motorcycle in the USA. However, its layout is unusual, with two wheels at the front and a single one at the rear and power is via an electric motor contained within each of the front wheels. ZAP claims 0-60mph in about 7.7 seconds with a top speed of 100mph. These figures are possible thanks to a low 733kg kerb weight, though range is quite limited at 100 miles.

At this stage there are no plans to bring the ZAP Alias to Europe, but American buyers can put down a deposit on the $32,500 (less than £18,000!) sportscar now for delivery in 2009. ZAP is working on other more mainstream electric vehicles.

Mullen Motors GTEV

Mullen Motors makes some bold claims for its new GTEV sportscar. Maximum power is 158bhp, with a phenomenal 450lb.ft of torque available at any speed. Seeing as the GTEV only weighs about 1,000kg it's not surprising that it hits 60mph from rest in just 4.5 seconds, though the 130mph top speed sounds a little optimistic.

In concept, the Mullen GTEV is the real deal too, based on the company's regular V8-engined GT sports car. Retaining that car's layout, the EV version is classified as id-engined and puts its power through the rear wheels. At $99,950 (about £54,000) it even sounds like reasonably good value. However, from what we can gather, that price does not get you a ready-to-drive car, instead needing the powertrain installing. Until we drive this one for ourselves we'll remain sceptical.