A far cry from the most famous three-wheeler ever to take to Britain’s roads - Derek Trotter’s Reliant Robin - the environmentally friendly ZAP Alias can go from standstill to 60mph in just 5.7 seconds and a top speed of 156mph. That makes it faster than most four wheeled vehicles on the road.

It is powered by two electric wheel motors, one driving each of the car’s front wheels. Unlike a Reliant Robin, made famous by Del Boy in Only Fools and Horses, the single wheel is at the back.

The car is being manufactured by the American electric car maker ZAP, which stands for Zero Air Pollution.

The two-seater Alias has a range of more than 100 miles before it needs to be recharged, and its two engines generate 322 horse power - as much as a £60,000 Porsche 911 Carrera.

Lotus, the British car company, is helping with its development. The Alias should be in production next year and will cost around $30,000 (£15,000).