Murray unveils electric T27 29 | 06 | 2011

AFTER 17 MONTHS of development, Gordon Murray has unveiled what he claims is the world’s most efficient electric car, the Designes T27; it's a battery-powered version of his revolutionary ultra-compact T25 city car.

Weighing less than 700 kilograms and just 2.5 metres long, it can carry three adult passengers. Murray (pictured, right, with his car) believes the car could be on the market in little more than two years priced around £14,000 to £15,000 … and that's NOT counting the Government's current £5000 subsidy on electric car purchases.

Powered by a 33bhp electric motor and single-speed gearbox — both developed by Zytec — the T27 has been part-funded by a £4.5 million grant from the Technology Strategy Board.

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Whether the T27 (and its sister T25) ever make it to production depends on Murray’s company attracting clients willing to invest not just in its car designs but in its revolutionary high-efficiency production process, called iStream.

Lighter than most electric cars, the T27 weighs just 680 kilograms at the kerb, including battery. And with a a ‘real life’ range of 100 miles, its lithion-ion battery pack takes only 4.5 hours to acquire an 80% charge. Capable of a top speed of 65mph, it will also accelerate from 0-62 mph in under 15 seconds.

The T27 will make its debut on public roads in this year’s RAC Future Car Challenge, which runs from Brighton to London on November 5.

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Jim McGill