The company, which already offers a growing fleet of the mechanically identical Chevrolet Volt in Chicago, will add the Ampera to a 9000-vehicle global fleet, of which 1,700 are based in London. It was the first car sharing club to offer electric vehicles, with the RAV4 in Boston in 2002, followed by a hybrid fleet which started in Seattle in 2003.

Ampera will be available in the boroughs of Camden, Croydon, Islington, Wandsworth and Westminster, reserved by the hour or day, and all vehicles come with a distinctive wrap showing country meadows.

Mark Walker, general manager of Zipcar UK said:  ‘At Zipcar we are committed to positive change in our city environments. We believe that this pilot marks a step change in the evolution of electric vehicles in London and represents a major advance for London and Londoners.

‘Thanks to the Ampera’s unique technology, on any given day, Zipcar members can be doing multiple short trips using only the stored electric battery power or longer trips powered by electricity generated by the on board range extender.  For the first time in an electric vehicle, members need not worry about range or recharging.’