Today, 4 November, ScootElectric, the new UK importer of electric-powered personal transport, introduces a line-up of six two-wheel and three-wheel scooters, powered by electric motors and rechargeable batteries, described as suitable for everyday use by commuters, courier companies and local councils keen to go 'green'.

Prices for ScootElectric models start at £1,699 inclusive of Powershift grant aid of £200, and they are all exempt from annual road tax and the London Congestion Charge. With a range between 20 and 35 miles between charges, electric scooters have similar performance to 50cc petrol scooters. ScootElectric's Cargo Scooter can achieve 50 miles on a single charge.

E-scooters take their power from a normal 13-amp socket. A full recharge costs around 8p, the equivalent of 1,125 miles per gallon, and takes a few hours, normally overnight. E-scooters' running costs are claimed to be around £2 per day or 15p per mile.

The ScootElectric model range is currently available from scooter and car dealers in London, Banbury, Colchester, Derby, Nottingham and the Channel Islands. Customers are also able to buy scooters direct from ScootElectric in Essex. All of ScootElectric's e-scooters have been homologated for the British and European markets. ScootElectric anticipates UK sales of 1,000 e-scooters in the next year as the full dealer network is established