not the real design...It’s no longer a pipe dream when the Deputy Science and Technology minister announces that an SA designed, battery-operated passenger car will be unveiled in 2009.

There are apparently two designs in the offing. A passenger six-seater car, "designed by a former Jaguar designer", will have a range of between 100km and 400km, and the roof will include solar panels to help charge the battery when parked in the sun. A utility van, something like a panelvan, will be a three-seater.

Both cars will be plugged into the mains at night, when demand for electricity is low – to charge the batteries, imported from China.

The project involves a range of stakeholders, including South African universities and industry. The first prototype is due by the end of this year, or early next year, although, unfortunately no photos or sketches have been released, so it’s anyone’s guess as to their alleged ‘beauty’, but hey, we’re so pleased with the concept that do we really care how they look?!

Dr Boni Mehlomakulu, group executive of the Department's research, development and innovation programme has been reticent with details of the vehicle designs, saying development was still underway. Funding for the project came from the Department's Innovation Fund which funds projects that have potential for commercialisation.

An amount of R300 million is needed to build a factory to produce the vehicles. Initially, the vehicles will be produced for the government fleet, an arrangement that had provided backers of the project with an entry point to the local car market. Further sales would obviously depend on demand, and whether investors could be found.

And how much will it cost? Reticence again – there is ‘no pricing model at this stage’…not very useful, but we live in hope! [sagoodnews]