Carrying two occupants, the light weight city car used 64p of energy on the 57.13 mile journey, recording an equivalent fuel economy figure of 346.7mpg and 37g/km CO2. Its performance at the event won it the titles “Most Energy Efficient Small Car (Prototype)”, “Best Overall Pure Electric Vehicle” and “Best Overall Entry – RAC Future Car Challenge Winner.”

The T.27, designed and developed in partnership with Zytek Automotive, Vocis and Michelin, is the result of a £9m project, including £4.5m investment from the government-backed Technology Strategy Board. Three manufacturers, including one from the UK, are understood to be interested in putting the vehicle into full production.

Professor Gordon Murray, chief executive and technical director of Gordon Murray Design, said: ‘This year’s success in combination with last year’s win with our petrol powered T.25 proves absolutely that lightweight is our most powerful tool for solving our energy problems. 

‘Our team is proud to have worked with the Technology Strategy Board and our other partners on this exciting programme and we look forward to working with a manufacturing partner to make the T.27 with its low running costs available to the motoring public.’