Caterham EVS get Goodwood debut

Two 322bhp electric Seven prototypes are now testing and will appear at the Festival of Speed

- MATT PRIOR

An electrically powered Caterham Seven sports car is being primed and two prototypes will make their debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July.

The cars will look to match the 3.4sec 0-62mph performance of a 237bhp Seven 485, have enough battery power to perform flat out on track for 20 minutes and be able to fully recharge via a 150kW charger in 15 minutes.

It "dips our toe in the water" of EVs, Caterham CEO Bob Laishley told Autocar, adding: "We're relying heavily on working with partners." The prototypes, which have been prepared by British Touring Car Championship engine builder Swindon Powertrain, are part of Caterham's preparation for where legislation or parts availability might take it.

"This is not something we are selling tomorrow," said Laishley, who was in charge of Nismo, Nissan's performance car range, before joining Caterham in July last year.

"We'll do it at the right time, which is when we can make a business case for it."