Several hundred special Minis will hit the road next year as drivers from BMW’s Oxford plant put the latest developments in hybrid technology to the test.

The news emerged yesterday at the London Motor Show, which opens today at ExCel, in Docklands, as General Motors (GM) also put hybrid technology at the top of its agenda. The giant carmaker held out the prospect of its electric hybrid car being manufactured at its Ellesmere Port factory. Until now production of the Volt, due to go on sale in 2010, had been planned for the United States only.

Carl-Peter Forster, head of GM’s European operations, said that the company could consider making it on Merseyside as well, particularly if the Government backed its aims on emission reductions in Europe.

GM wants Europe to give emissions “super credits” to carmakers that manufacture vehicles with very low emissions. Mr Forster said that he had told Gordon Brown: “If you support us on super credits, we might consider Ellesmere Port. Initially, we had just considered the US, but we believe that it is important to have a relationship between industry and government.”

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The prospects for more electric cars on the road were boosted at the show by the Prime Minister when he promised more government help to build up an infrastructure to allow easier battery-charging. EdF, the French power company, also attended a meeting with Mr Brown, Ruth Kelly, the Transport Secretary, and John Hutton, the Business Secretary, and leading carmakers. Its presence was an indication that the manufacturers are beginning to forge alliances with power companies as they look increasingly to alternative low-carbon sources of fuel.

Carmakers are concerned about the mileage range of battery-powered cars, however, and the lack of infrastructure. They are also concerned about Britain’s lack of battery technology and David Smith, managing director of Jaguar and Land Rover, said: “It is important that we develop that and the electric mechanisms that go with the battery.”

As the price of fuel soars, car manufacturers are putting resources into improving fuel consumption. Oliver Zipse, managing director of BMW’s Oxford plant, said that the efficiency of some of the Mini range had increased by 25 per cent over recent years.

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