KARUNA SHINSHO, CNN ANCHOR: When people talk about electric cars, you usually think of a quiet and clean, but relatively slow vehicle. Now, a team of inventors in Japan says it doesn't have to be like that. Alfonso Van Marsh shows us what they have in mind for the car of the future.</s>ALFONSO VAN MARSH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This futuristic eight-seater may one day challenge the biggest names in sports cars. Yes, sports cars. This electrically powered vehicle is capable of reaching speeds of 311 kilometers per hour. Its Japanese inventors say it demonstrates that electric cars are not only environmentally friendly, they're also headed for the fast track.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): The acceleration was just wonderful.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): It was very quiet at first, and then it went really fast.</s>VAN MARSH: Engineers spent three years and over $2 1/2 million to develop what they say is the future of automotive technology. The car runs on a one-hour rechargeable lithium ion battery, and is guaranteed to run for at least 300 kilometers before needing a recharge. But developers are still fine-tuning the car, trying to lower manufacturing costs, and they've got a long way to go. The market price, when it's available in 2005, about $162,000. Alfonso Van Marsh for INSIDE ASIA.
Team of Japanese Inventors Working on Fast Electric Car