FORD'S innovative Th!nk City electric car has gone into production in Norway with the vast majority of the 120 orders already received going to fleets. The two-seat car has been created with fleets in mind to offer urban transport solutions and will be offered with a special sales, leasing and service option in Norway through Hertz.

Hertz will supply the infrastructure for the zero emission cars in Norway and also the rest of the Scandinavian market when it goes on sale there next year. Hertz will also offer both fleet and private owners a 'convenience package' which allows the company to pick up and deliver vehicles at service centres in cities and provide transportation while the vehicles are being serviced.

Customers will also be able to finance the leases through Hertz or Ford subsidiary PRIMUS, a finance service similar to Ford Credit. The vehicle, costing £15,850 on-the-road in Norway, boasts a 0-50kmh time of seven seconds, a top speed of 90kmh, the nickel cadmium batteries have a range of 85km and a drained battery takes eight hours to recharge. Ford has no immediate plans to introduce TH!NK City to the UK, although the company will assess the reaction in other markets and then make a decision.