Why there's a speed limit on the road to a fuel-less future

The Ford Escape hybrid

Electric cars are gaining in sophistication, but mass sales are unlikely with mains power coming from fossil fuels

Electric cars have taken their time to return to our roads. A century ago, they were serious rivals to petrol-fuelled vehicles, with early versions including a New York fleet of electric taxis built in 1897. However, the cheap power of petrol let the internal combustion engine monopolise road transport by the early 20th century.


Since then, the electric car has struggled to make a return, despite low emissions of carbon dioxide and other pollutants. Hopes have risen recently, after Audi, Honda, Nissan and others announced electric vehicle projects. Ford joined them last week by revealing European plans to launch three new vehicles: a battery-powered Transit Connect van and two hybrid versions of its Fusion range of cars and Escape range of SUVs. The hybrid vehicles have separate electric and petrol engines, with the latter taking over at higher speeds.

All three were presented to the press at the company's Aachen research centre in Germany and each demonstrated how the electric car has progressed as a rival to the power of petrol. The all-electric Transit Connect made the greatest impact. It does a nippy 75mph and although its acceleration is modest – 0-60mph in 12 seconds – it handles well. This is no mere jumped-up milk float.

The Connect is also distinctive for its absence of engine noise. Indeed, it is so quiet that other sounds – a squeaky steering wheel or a loose dashboard fitting – can be become noticeable and distracting. This is a minor price for silent running, you may think, which suggests that encouraging progress is being made in electric car development. We should not get over enthusiastic, however, as Ford officials made clear last week.

While obstacles had been overcome, current battery technology continues to limit electric car use drastically. "You can get journeys of around 80 miles at best," said Peter Schmitz, the team leader for Ford's electrified vehicles. "But if you put on your heating, add a modest load and then play your stereo, your journey will be cut in half. This, in short, is a niche technology. Certainly, it won't get you to your relatives for weekend visits if they live in other cities."

Equally dispiriting is the need to charge vehicles from mains sockets overnight, not an easy trick in British cities where large numbers of cars are parked in streets. Then there is the issue of mains electricity. If British power is generated mostly by burning fossil fuel, as it is at present, there is little to be gained by using that fossil power to run our cars. We will still be increasing carbon levels in the atmosphere.

Intriguingly, these points were acknowledged by Ford at the Aachen launch. "There is a lot of hype about electric cars at present and that is dangerous because it will lead to a backlash," said one executive.

Yes, they have a niche market but at present that is their limit. We will have to wait another couple of decades before we can hope to get the electric car back on the road.