shores in late spring.

The Transport Ministry has given Pearman Watlington Motors the go-ahead to import the "Force'', an electric solar-powered car which emits virtually no sound or emissions.

Electric mopeds and motor cycles may soon follow. In January the Ministry gave the green light to Mr. Joseph Charlson of the Solo Cycle Company to import electric cycles.

Residents who buy the "Force'' only have to pay TCD half of what it costs to licence a regular car and importers are not required to pay customs duty.

This is due to legislative changes announced by Transport Minister the Hon.

Ralph Marshall in the House of Assembly this month.

However, because the electric car is a relatively new innovation, it does not come cheap.

But Ms Joan Hug of PWs believes the $35,000 price tag will come down as the car catches on and further advances are made in its design.

One of the reasons for the high cost is that the company which manufactures it has to buy new cars, take out their engines and then refit them with solar panels and the electric components.

Another benefit of owning an electric car is that it requires no oil changes or fuel, costing some 50 percent less to run than a regular car, Ms Hug said.

Its batteries are rechargeable by plugging them into an 110V electric outlet -- though it takes several hours.

Batteries do eventually have to be replaced, but not for several years, she said, adding battery energy is also obtained from the solar panels.

The only cost to the owner is general maintenance, such as rust proofing and cleaning, Ms Hug said.

She believes the car is ideal for Bermuda because of its narrow roads, low speed limits, expensive fuels, warm weather and short driving distances.

Though the "Force'' is on the road in nine US States, Americans are still wary of buying it because it can only travel 60-70 miles before its batteries go flat.

But it's perfect for Bermuda because the Island is only 21 miles long, Mrs.

Hug pointed out.

Pearman Watlington is importing the car in association with Hamilton Jones Ltd. and the Solectria Corporation of America, which was formed by a group of MIT graduates.

The car has the support of both the Transport Minister and the Transport Control Department.

Mr. Marshall said he had wanted electric cars on the roads as far back as the 1970s because of their low noise level and lack of harmful emissions.

Bermuda Motors actually imported a model at the time, he said, but it was not attractive and failed to catch on with residents.

He said his Ministry had found no fault with the electric car PW's wanted to import.

Mr. Marshall said his Ministry would look at all bids to bring in electric cars. But he warned it would turn down any applications for cars it did not think were safe and roadworthy.

A PW's spokesman said the "Force'' had "the world's most advanced electronic drive systems in a body that were practical, safe and ideal for Bermuda's roads''.

It is a conventional-looking four-passenger car which travels at speeds of up to 60 m.p.h. for a distance of 55 to 60 miles per charge. The vehicle is equipped with solar panels on the roof that not only convert the sun's rays to energy but help keep the interior of the car cool.