Geely Nanoq electric car set for Europe sale

The Geely Nanoq electric car will go on sale in Europe this spring. The car was demonstrated at last month's COP15 global climate talks in Copenhagen, and following a positive reaction the company has now announced it will be sold in Europe.

Touted as a five-seat family car, the Nanoq - 'nanoq' means polar bear in Greenland - will be manufactured as a joint venture between Geely and Danish company Lynx, which has developed the electrical components and a new lithium battery pack.

Geely claims that the Nanoq will have a top speed of 81mph and a range of upto 125 miles, which is similar performance to the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, although the Nanoq will theoretically squeeze 25 miles more out of one charge.

The batteries themselves are the same used in the Lynx GT, a 1057bhp, all-electric supercar claimed to hit 60mph from standstill in under three seconds and manage a top speed of 186mph.

Geely says the Nanoq may go on sale in the USA and Asia later this year or in 2011.