I REALLY expect electric cars to take off over the next few years because they should be so cheap to run and suit so many people's lifestyles.

When a normal, very economical diesel costs about £2.45 in fuel to cover 100 miles, an electric car like the up-coming Renault Fluence should cost just £1.

And most drivers rarely travel more than 100 miles at a time - which is the exact range of the Fluence.

The company has already launched a website for buyers to register their interest in the five seater, which will come onto the market in 2011.

But like others, the main problem is price. Renault claims it will cost about the same as an equivalent diesel.

That should be about £20,000 once the government's £5,000 incentive for electric power is taken into account but it's still too much for most people.

The company expects buyers will lease the expensive batteries and claims ownership costs will be similar to those of more ordinary cars. We shall see.