ELECTRIC Range Rovers have now joined the fleet of low-carbon cars on the roads of the North East.

Manufacturers at Liberty say the world’s first electric range rovers will change the way the public view the new cars taking to the roads.

Made in Northumberland, one of the first new range rovers was delivered to Metrocentre boss Tim Lamb yesterday. The Gateshead site has installed four electric vehicle charging points and now has the UK’s first shopping centre rapid charge point, allowing motorists to top up their car to 80% of its battery power in 30 minutes.

Mr Lamb will be driving the Range Rover as part of a trial backed by the Government’s Technology Strategy Board, a move which will see him shift away from his Porsche 911.

“We’ll be able to show the reality of life with an electric vehicle thanks to this trial, and I’m looking forward to getting used to this,” Mr Lamb said.

The general manager added: “The four normal chargers we have at the Metrocentre will charge your car from zero to full in say six or eight hours.

“The quick charger we have will charge it to 80% in up to 30 minutes, and I think it will make a real difference. As more and more people start to buy these cars we’ll install more charging points.” Barry Shrier, chief executive at Liberty E-Cars, said the zero emission Range Rover would be the only electric car suitable for a large family.

“There are many benefits to running an electric car the tax benefits, the environmental benefits. And if you are spending say £100 per week on petrol we think you would spend only £20 a week to drive the same distance a week in the Liberty range rover. You will save thousands of pounds a year just on running costs.

“We are at the dawn of a new era in the motor industry, the electric era.”