Britain’s most famous inventor, Sir James Dyson, is working on a project that could lead to the creation of a fast, green car.

Engineers at his research laboratory in Wiltshire are developing a powerful lightweight motor that could enable electric cars to zoom along for hundreds of miles without causing pollution. Solar panels on their roofs or in garages would charge them with renewable energy.

In an interview with The Independent on Sunday, the scientist forecast that electric cars would be “the future” of transport, and predicted they could outnumber petrol vehicles in as little as 10 years’ time.

“They’re quiet and they’re pollution free,” enthused Sir James, whose bagless vacuum cleaner cemented his reputation as an innovative risk-taker and earned him an estimated £700m fortune.

The 61-year-old inventor also expressed his belief that the cars could overcome their current drawbacks – their short range and slow speed. “An electric car doesn’t go far enough. It could do. Electric motors can do that,” he said, adding that there were “fantastic opportunities” to make electric vehicles lighter.

“At the moment, electric cars are seen as city cars and to go 30mph is quite enough, but in the future that will change. An electric motor can go to very high speeds.”

At present, electric cars are powered by a motor charged from a normal socket connected to the national grid. “Most of the time a car isn’t being used,” said Sir James, “so a photo voltaic [solar] charge over a long period of time is an absolutely suitable way of charging a car.”

Although probably several years off, the prospect of a Dyson car was welcomed by green groups, who believe climate change and diminishing oil resources will force drivers to wean themselves off fossil fuel in the near future.

Petrol has jumped in price by 22 per cent to £1.18 a litre in a year, pushing the cost of filling a saloon car to £70. By contrast, Britain’s best-selling electric car, the G-Wiz, costs only 1p a mile to run – and is exempt from road tax, many parking fees and the London congestion charge.

Carmakers are pouring millions of pounds into developing electric and hybrid cars, believing a long-term shift towards sustainable transport is taking place. Sales of gas-guzzling 4×4s and luxury marques fell in the UK in May.

Last week, General Motors announced plans to sell the “plug in and go” Chevy Volt by 2010. BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen and Honda plan rivals.

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