What was once the stuff of science fiction is now a reality with the arrival last week of a production model electric car.

Soon to be available from the Island's newest auto dealer, Electric Avenues, the $35,000 Solectria promises a 50-mile driving range on an overnight recharge through conventional household circuits.

Electric Avenues president Tom McFarlane on Friday was proud to show off his company's offering, bringing smiles to amazed car buffs and Transport Control Department mechanics as it silently drove in for testing.

"We're going to start out slow with this venture,'' Mr. McFarlane said as he popped the hood to reveal the sealed battery with a five-year life span.

"We want to see what business is like,'' he continued. "It's got everything that contemporary cars have, air conditioning, power steering and windows, and even dual air bags.

"It's a General Motors car without the internal combustion engine,'' he added. "Solectria has been building electric cars for ten years now and they build these things to California environmental standards -- which are very strict.

"It's got zero emissions, zero (Customs) duty, and one charge will use about $1.70 in electricity and will take you 80 to 90 kilometres, or about 50 miles,'' Mr. McFarlane concluded. "Right now we expect it to start at about $35,000, which is a great deal when you consider the savings in fuel. '' Solectria's US sales manager Douglas Alderton explained that Bermuda's climate was "ideal'' for use of electric cars and that careful drivers can get even further mileage.

Electric car makes debut "With the warm weather and its top speed of 35 miles per hour, that makes Bermuda the ideal place for these vehicles,'' Mr. Alderton said. "We worked with General Motors -- who provide us with `gliders' or engineless cars -- to crash test them to US Government standards.

"They are also certified by Underwriter's Laboratories -- because anything that you plug into the powergrid has to be certified by them,'' he added.

"That's the company that certifies all household appliances, from refrigerators to lamps.'' Mr. Alderton added: "Now that this type of technology has developed to the point that we can put such a motor in a compact car, it's become much cheaper and a more viable product.'' Electric Avenues' offices are at 19 St. John's Road, Pembroke, next door to Sticks and Stones cabinet and home furnishings store.