explains, Bermuda could be the perfect place to benefit from the latest technology.

The transportation industry, long seen as one of earth's biggest air polluters, is slowly starting to clean up its act. Technology that is still in the experimental stages in the rest of the world is about to become a reality in Bermuda when the first solar electric-powered car arrives in the Island next month.

The super-clean electric car, now emerging from the world of science fiction, is expected to become the car of the future with its zero exhaust emissions, and for many large American motor companies, production is just around the corner. But the one factor delaying mass production in the US - a breakthrough in battery design - may mean a smaller place like Bermuda, with shorter driving distances and a much lower speed limit, will be able to benefit from the existing technology in the meantime.

Just imagine - you get in your car, put the key in the ignition, turn it, and no whirring, choking sound comes out. No messy exhaust fumes, no oil changes, no noise. And instead of filling up on gas, you plug the car in at night with an extension cord that attaches to an outlet under the `gas cap'.

Bermudian Derek Jones, president of the Boston-based international marketing company Hamilton Jones Ltd., believes Bermuda is the ideal testing ground for electric cars. His company is working with the Solectria Corporation, which designs and manufactures electric vehicles and components. Jones says existing batteries used in electric cars in the Boston area are best-suited to the Island's small distances.The batteries allow for travel of up to about 55 to 60 miles per charge although some believe that Bermuda's 20-mile per hour speed limit will increase mileage by about 20 miles per charge, for a total of 75-80 miles per charge.

While many local dealers are looking into the feasibility of importing electric cars, Pearman Watlington & Company will have its first solar electric car, the Solectria Force, ready for sale in late April. PWs president William Cox says the first car will be used on a test basis, while additional cars brought in will be pre-sold. Bermuda Motors has also been gathering information on Ford Motor Company's version of the electric, called the Ecostar, although it is also trying to access electric vehciles, cars and vans, through the Eastern Bloc, in particular Czechoslovakia. And in an effort to encourage interest in electric cars, the Finance Ministry said electrics would be exempt from import duty, which says a lot when you consider that the duty on gas-powered cars is 75 percent of the cost for the first $12,000, and 150 percent on the cost over $12,000.

Even if only one motorist catches on to the latest in car technology, it will mean one less gas-powered car releasing harmful exhaust emissions into the environment. To Jones, that's an accomplishment in itself. And, Bermuda Electric Light Company president Alf Oughton says that if every car owner in Bermuda switches over to electric cars tomorrow, it would not significantly impact emissions at the Pembroke plant. "Maybe if we were talking about the US where the numbers are far greater, like two million cars,'' he says. "But we're only talking about 15,000 cars, and I doubt very much that demand is going to be that great to begin with.'' It's not likely going to impact the company's ability to supply electricity either. Oughton says that nighttime loads are about half that of the peak daytime loads, and assuming that most people would plug their cars in at night, it would be welcome business during quiet periods. Even environmentalist Stuart Hayward thinks electric vehicles are a good idea. And he should know having owned an electric bike during the 1970s. His only worry is that Bermuda's many hills will quickly drain the car battery. And as far as emissions go, Hayward believes they'll be much easier to control if they are being released from one source rather than many.

Technology used by Solectria and marketed by Hamilton Jones is already in use in the Boston area. About 45 cars have been sold in Massachusetts, about a dozen to utility company Boston Edison, as well as one to the Massachusetts Secretary for Environmental Affairs, Susan Tierney, who drives her Force to work every day. Outside of Massachusetts, the Solectria Force is being used by utility companies in Arizona, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Southern California.

The Force uses a Geo Metro frame, identical to the Suzuki Swift, fitted with an electric engine, which is about the size of a home VCR. It is designed with a brushless drive system and regenerative braking, as well as regular features like positive, neutral and reverse commands. The car is also fittedwith regular features such as heat and air conditioning, AM M stereo with cassette, as well as features unique to the electric system like solar panels on the roof of the car, which on a sunny day will provide the car some additional mileage.

Until a high-efficiency battery is designed and approved, it is unlikely that electric cars will be rolling off the assembly line anytime soon. GM has teamed up with Ford and Chrysler, and the American government to form a research consortium to develop a battery that will give better mileage per charge. In an effort to increase interest in electric cars and cut down on the amount of harmful emissions, legislation in Massachusetts and California says that by 1998, two percent of the cars sold must have zero emissions, and by the years 2003, 10 percent must be exhaust-free. Many believe that if the legislation was not in place in those states that demand for electric cars would be minimal. Jones, whose company has been marketing solar electric technology for the past 18 months, is hoping the Force will catch on quickly in Bermuda, although its high price, estimated at about $35,000, will make it unaffordable to many. "It's not a car for everybody. The people who are going to buy the Force are people who can afford the price and who are passionate when it comes to the environment. Bermuda's already one of the cleanest places in the world, and concern for the environment is something that's Island-wide.'' He puts the high price down to the fact that so far electric cars approved for road use are converted gas powered models, which must be stripped and refitted with an electric system, a process he says takes about 100 hours. "The simplest, fastest, and easiest way to get an electric car on the road is to take a gas powered car and refit it with an electric system.'' But once the technology pushes forward and electric cars are produced in greater numbers, prices should become more competitive.

Though Bermuda's electricity costs are high at about 20 cents per kilowatt hour, Jones says the cost of gas is even higher at over $4 per gallon. "The cost per mile to run the Force is far cheaper than gas. With a gas powered car, it costs about 15 to 20 cents a mile, while the electric car is about seven to eight cents a mile. After the initial cost of buying the car, the only other expense is replacing the 12 deep cell batteries which will cost about $1,000 to $1,200 every couple of years.'' Derek Jones with the Solectrai car and below, inside the Force.