Police forces are lining up to try the new zero-emission Mitsubishi iMiEV, which has a range of 100 miles and a top speed of 81mph.

Hampshire Constabulary and West Midlands Police are amongst 11 forces due to start trials with the iMiEV.

“This Mitsubishi is equally exciting and we look forward to seeing how it performs in an inner city environment for which it is purpose-built,” said Hampshire Constabulary fleet manager John Bradley.

“Although it won’t be a response vehicle, it should have a myriad of uses for a variety of frontline officers. It will be very useful to evaluate the potential of this latest technology in a working police environment.”

West Midlands Police will begin using the electric car from December and have the vehicle for a year through an initiative with the Coventry and Birmingham Low Emission Demonstrators (CABLED) – one of eight consortia across the UK delivering low carbon vehicles to consumers.

Andy Kelly, head of fleet services at West Midlands Police, recognises the car’s green credentials, but at around £30,000 per unit believes the initial cost of the Mitsubishi car is too high for police to consider any large scale switch-over.

However, by paying a “heavily subsidised monthly rental” he believes their iMiEV, which will be used by a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO), will pay its way.

Andy Wertheim, general manager press and public affairs at Mitsubishi, explained that the initial purchase price, as with any new technology, will be relatively high. But, he predicted: “As production volume increases so the unit price will drop.”