Electric mini UK trial under way

Mini E offers a range of 150 miles per two-hour charge

A total of 40 electric-powered Mini cars have been handed over to drivers as part of a year-long trial in the UK.

BMW's new Mini E is powered by lithium-ion batteries and gives off no carbon dioxide emissions. It has a top speed of 95 mph (152km/h).

A group of drivers, who are paying to take part in the trial, were handed the keys at the Mini plant in Cowley, Oxfordshire, on Sunday.

A total of 600 cars are being trialled in the US, Germany and now the UK.

The car offers a range of 150 miles per two-hour charge and can be accelerated to 62 mph (100km/h) in 8.5 seconds.

BMW said the Mini E was "purely an experiment" at present.

"While a handful of companies have pursued hybrid electric-petrol engines, BMW Group is the first to use the latest generation of lithium-ion technology in an all-electric vehicle."

Oxford Brookes University will study the progress of the drivers.