A fleet of electric cars could be plying Bermuda's roads in ten years time, Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson believes.

The Environment Minister was talking after Professor C.C. Chan, one of the world's leading experts in electrical vehicles, gave a lecture on the subject at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute Friday night.

Prof Chan said Bermuda would be an "ideal'' place to develop electrical cars, which he predicts will gradually replace the internal combustion engine.

Professor Chan, who heads the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Hong Kong, said Bermuda has the potential to lead the world in the development and sale of electrical engineering technologies.

He spoke to a packed auditorium of engineers, industrialists and members of the public about the dawning future and feasibility of electric cars.

"It will take inspiration, innovation, invention, integration, implementation and most of all -- investment.'' He carefully explained the complexity of the electrical car and said it is a realistic alternative for an island the size of Bermuda.

He cautioned against comparing electrical and fuel-burning engines: "It's like comparing apples and oranges'', he said.

However, electric cars are a greener alternative for an environment like Bermuda where moderate climate, stop-and-go traffic, slower speeds and short distances are distinct advantages.

BELCO's Roger Todd told The Royal Gazette : "When a combustion car is running, even in idle, its producing emissions. An electric car does not produce emissions when it's not moving.'' "The capital cost is greater than the combustion vehicles but the operating costs are lower.'' In Hong Kong's case, after three years of the electric buses' ten-year service life, the capital expense was paid off and government began saving reaping the rewards of lower operating costs.

Mr. Todd sits on the Environment Sub-Committee of the National Transportation Management Plan and said that Professor Chan had already spoken to the committee.

In an open discussion, they formulated ideas and strategies to setup an infrastructure in Bermuda.

Professor Chan is a leading specialist in electrical engineering, holding six fellowships and honours from leading universities such as the University of California at Berkeley and the Massachussetts Institure of Technology.

He has published over 200 technical papers but says he hopes to take the news of electric cars beyond the scientific world by speaking to a wider audience.

He said in order for the idea to work, Bermuda would have to bring in the investors by creating a "market niche''.

Since the Island is too far away from a manufacturers centre, companies are not interested in selling one or two vehicles overseas without back-up facilities.

"The government should have a clear, strong policy to get venture capital -- then bring in the investor and the industry is ready.'' Another important change would be the energy infrastructure for the batteries that power the cars.

"The battery should be treated as the fuel cost, an operating cost,'' said Professor Chan, who said service facilities would have to be in place.

During a question and answer period, people voiced concern over the large amount of hazardous materials and metals that dead batteries would add to Bermuda's environment.

Professor Chan noted that utility companies would play a huge role in an electrical car's service life.

"Use the energy company to collect the battery,'' he said.

BELCO Senior Manager of Engineering and Planning, Leonard Malloy said that batteries, because they can be recycled, are already cleaner than the fossil fuels, and as the the number of vehicles grew, so too would the services and facilities to service the new technology.

Other questions were raised about the hills in Bermuda and how would that affect the range and usability of the vehicle.

Local owner of an electric car, Jeff Elkinson, was pointed out by BELCO's Mr.

Malloy and told the audience how well the electrical car worked out in Bermuda.

Mr. Elkinson said he took the environment minister and two other men from Government over the steepest hill in Bermuda.

"It didn't go very fast but we made it.'' The car's battery also regains some 10 to 20 percent of the energy going down hills, helping to maintain its range.

Professor Chan smiled after the question, noting that, compared to Hong Kong, Bermuda's hills are `peanuts'.

Green guys: Professor C.C. Chan (centre) with BELCO Senior Manager of Engineering and Planning Leonard Malloy (left) and Engineer and Environment sub-committee member Roger Todd (right).