HONDA is preparing to bring gas or electric powered vehicles to the UK within the next 12 to 18 months. In a speech at the launch of the new Prelude, Honda UK managing director Toshio Ishino said the manufacturer would introduce clean air vehicles worldwide next year.

A Honda spokesman said the Japanese parent company had still not decided which vehicle it would put into commercial production, but it is understood there are three options.

They are the LEV Civic, which is already on sale in the US, a gas-powered version of the Civic 4-door or the more radical EV Plus - a purpose-built electric vehicle. Powered by 42 12 volt batteries, the EV has a range of 125 miles and a maximum speed of 81mph according to US tests.