Subaru revealed its R1e electric city car at the Geneva Motor show this month and the possibility of a UK launch is currently being evaluated.

If the project receives approval the R1e could find its way onto British roads within 12 months.

The Subaru R1e is an all-electric version of the Japanese market R1 “K-car”.

Subaru’s parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries, won Japan’s 2006 Commendation For Global Warming Prevention Activity award, for the production of the R1e, which was developed in conjunction with the Tokyo Electric Power Company.

The model has two doors, a 50-mile range when fully-charged and a top speed of 62mph. A high-speed charger is included, which charges the on-board lithium-ion battery to 80% capacity in just 15 minutes. The life of the batteries is estimated at over 10 years, or 124,000 miles.

As the car emits zero emissions it would be exempt from city congestion charges, making it ideal for use in urban areas.

The R1e will be built in Japan in right-hand-drive form only, increasing the likelihood of a UK release.