Boris 'to switch to electric car'

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London Mayor Boris Johnson has pledged to trade in his car as soon as a suitable electric-powered replacement becomes available.

After appearing on the BBC's Top Gear, Mr Johnson urged industry to create an electric vehicle for family use.

He said: "I don't want to buy another internal combustion engine, there is a market waiting to be satisfied."

Mr Johnson, well known for cycling to his workplace at City Hall, currently drives a Toyota people carrier.

'Old and tired'

Mr Johnson said he had made his decision after competing for a second time on the programme's test track.

Afterwards, he added, he was allowed to drive an electric car owned by circuit's proprietor, and was persuaded that the technology was on the verge of "triumphant maturity" after "years of false starts".

Mr Johnson said: "My Toyota people mover is so old and tired that if it were a dog, you would have it put down.

"I intend to keep it on the road for another year, for two years, for three years - for however long it takes the car manufacturers to produce a zero emission electric family car.

"Come on, folks, you must be able to do it."

Mr Johnson has pledged to develop plans to cut London's carbon emissions by 60% by 2025.