British Electric Lightning GT Slated for 2010

Britain is one step closer to building and mass producing the first tree hugging super car. The battery powered sports car also known as the Lightning GT is going to be thrown in a series of tests and development for the reliability of the motor, batteries, chassis and electrical control, results that will determine the delivery time for the model in early 2010.

According to autocar.co.uk, the Lightning GT is going to have a revolutionary propulsion system unlike the ordinary mixers that we call today electric cars. The GT will have four independent in-wheel electric engines, instead of one central mounted propulsion system. PML Flightlink will be the suppliers for the four 160 bhp Hi-Pa motors that will be fitted in the wheels of the Lightning GT and they will be capable of producing more than 500 lb ft of torque each.

The unique capabilities of the electric engines allow them to serve both as engine and drive train for the Lightning GT, thus removing the need for a conventional transmission, autocar added. The 55 lbs electric engines will  be used to slow down the car but for safety reasons the vehicle will also be fitted with conventional brake discs and calipers.

The performance of the car is said to be pretty impressive, with a 0-60 speed prediction of under 4.0 seconds and a limited max speed of 130 mph the Lightning GT can easily get you in trouble. Using a NanoSafe nano titanate batteries supplied by the American firm Altairnano the Lightning GT's power source promises a longer life expectancy than both lithium ion and nickel metal hydrate solutions.

The batteries use a three-phase 480v power source that can be recharged to 80 percent in just four minutes and are expected to give a range of 200 miles between battery charges.

The Lightning GT is probably going to be quite a wonder in the electric super car industry, but with prices estimated between £120,000 and £150,000, it's not going to cheap.