Electric sports car maker Tesla Motors has signed up to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), joining around 500 automotive companies operating in the UK.

As part of membership, Tesla Motors will be represented on SMMT’s newly-formed Electric Vehicle Group which was created to promote a collaborative industry-wide approach to the development of ultra-low carbon technologies.

SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt said: “Ultra-low carbon vehicles are now mainstream business for the UK motor industry and it is important that SMMT continues fully to reflect the diversity of the sector through its membership.”

Tesla sales and marketing director Don Cochrane said: “We feel strongly that the industry as a whole has to work together to help make low carbon vehicles a realistic alternative for British consumers.

“Tesla has unique experience in the sector with over 600 roadsters now with customers in the US and the first UK deliveries will take place this month. We have also just opened our first flagship European store in London’s Knightsbridge, which goes some way to underlining our commitment and belief in the electric vehicle market here in the UK.”