ELECTRIC patrol cars will not be used in Lancashire after a pilot scheme found the battery life was too short.

Police chiefs were trialling the use of the £30,000 Mitsubishi I-Miev, but have ruled they have no future because they would need recharging half-way through a pursuit.

The £30,000 cars have a top speed of 80mph and a battery limit of 70 miles.

A forces spokesman said: “Lancashire Constabulary trialled this car because we are constantly looking at evolving technologies especially carbon and fuel saving initiatives.

“However, feedback from our officers on the effectiveness of electric cars in an operational police role in Preston suggested that despite being useful for shorter trips, the battery life would need to be longer to be sustainable.

“The decision has therefore been made not to roll out electric cars across the Constabulary at this time but we will continue to evaluate electric car solutions from manufacturers.”