First all-British electric vehicle produced near Coventry to make British Motor Show debut

The first all-British electric vehicle has been produced near Coventry and will make its debut this week at the British Motor Show.

The Firefly Sport, designed and built by Young Driver Motor Cars, will use only UK-sourced components for series-build cars, including batteries and electric motors.

Although it can fit an adult driver, it has actually been created for drivers aged four to 10 years old, to enthuse a new generation of drivers about road safety and growing importance of EVs.

The 2.1 metre-long car will use only UK-sourced components for series-build cars – including their batteries and electric motors – making the Firefly Sport the country’s first all-British EV.

Steve Rawson, formerly of Aston Martin, has been responsible for Firefly Sport’s production engineering, while ex-JLR and MG engineer Dr. Ian Pogson developed its highly adaptable powertrain.

Firefly Sport’s body was the work of tier-one automotive agency Puremedium design, based on a detailed brief by YDMC.

Firefly Sport uses two recyclable 12-volt batteries from a Bromsgrove-based supplier, powering twin 24-volt electric motors which are manufactured in Bournemouth.

Maximum speeds will vary depending on the gearbox specified, but will range from 25mph, down to 7mph for the youngest drivers.

However, Firefly Sport also has a remote cut-off facility with a 200-metre range, as well as an automatic cut-off if it senses obstacles in its path.

“Firefly Sport is a fully-fledged, scaled-down motor car,” said Ian Mulingani, YDMC’s managing director. “From its launch this month it will allow 4- to 10-year-olds the chance to get behind the wheel and have an authentic motoring experience, thanks to this model’s sophisticated design and componentry, which fundamentally mirror the way a road car behaves, but at fully manageable speeds. Being electric and looking like a junior supercar, it also aligns with the type of vehicle that children see themselves driving when they pass their test.

“And it’s precisely this kind of engagement we need at our Young Driver training centres to start them on a journey towards improved road safety – and ultimately, preventing unnecessary road deaths.

“But we’re also proud that Firefly Sport will be this country’s first all-British electric vehicle, when you take into account not only where it’s manufactured, and the team responsible for its creation, but also that its components are sourced from here, too. The body comes from Huddersfield, the chassis is from Coventry, and the motors and batteries are from suppliers in Bournemouth and Bromsgrove. If you think about how the UK’s motor industry is moving towards greater autonomy with parts-sourcing, we’re definitely ahead of the curve.”

Firefly Sport will be available for 4- to 10-year-old drivers at 45 of Young Driver’s training centres across the UK (£20 for a 15-minute test drive), it can also be purchased outright by families who have sufficient space for children to drive the car on private land.

Pricing will be announced at the British Motor Show on August 18.

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