Mitsubishi is entering the MIEV in the Shikoku Rally - a special event staged for electric vehicles in Japan. Bosses are confident a production version will arrive by 2010, and say the technology can be applied to hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles.
Meanwhile, BMW is set to reveal an electric/petrol-powered X3 concept at next month's Frankfurt Motor Show. Instead of a conventional battery, it has high-performance capacitors that are more efficient and weigh less. These are so small they fit in the car's door sills.