Taxi owners -- already up in arms over plans to allow funeral homes to bring in limousines for mourners -- fear they could lose out if plans for electric cars are given the green light.

Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown is currently looking at the feasibility of introducing small battery-powered cars.

He said they would be a safe alternative for visitors unhappy with the renting mopeds.

He said: "Tourists no longer consider it safe to ride mopeds.'' But Brown admitted that visitors with young families didn't use bikes. These tourists could then be tempted to switch to the new electric cars and deprive taxis of trade.

BIU taxi division president Neville Darrell hit out at the electric car scheme.

He said: "It will have an effect on our trade, there is no question about that. It will also affect cycle businesses.'' The government hopes the smaller more environmentally friendly electric cars will slash traffic as groups of tourists who used to travel separately all got in one car.

The smaller, slower vehicles would also suit Bermuda's narrow roads and low speed limit.

Dr. Brown said Government was also considering slashing the cost of a licence for one of the new breed of cars to lure Bermudians away from their larger gas-guzzling vehicles.

But Dr. Brown admitted they might not be too popular. He said: "Bermudians are often very concerned with the looks and performance of cars.'' Import duties could also be reduced. Dr. Brown said all the options were being mulled over although a decision is not expected soon.

He said: "We are still working on it in the Cabinet.'' However Mr. Darrell slammed the idea as ill conceived. He said: "It's not been thought out or planned.

He added: "Quite frankly it can hardly be safe when 90 percent of tourists who come here are from the United States where they drive on the other side of the road.

"It would lead to more and more congestion.'' Mr. Darrell called for a serious discussion with Government over a strategy for the transport industry and said there were anomalies in how people were treated.

He said: "The average tourist can jump on a motorcycle without any training or a licence whereas locals must go through TCD and all the training.'' Mr. Darrell also said the taxi industry was going ahead with plans to demonstrate near the House of Assembly tomorrow having had no response over their concerns about allowing funeral home owners to run limos for mourners.

Mr. Darrell said: "Flyers have gone around the industry and we are expecting between 50 and a 100 taxis to turn up in the streets around the Assembly on Friday.

"We want to make our presence felt.''