BMW chairman Joachim Milberg stepped into controversy at the Geneva Motor Show by writing off electric vehicles as suffering from so many restrictions they were simply not acceptable. He was speaking before the launch of a new hydrogen powered 12-cylinder BMW 7-series, which would lead to a range of models selling in their thousands within 10 years.

Urging governments to concentrate on developing a hydrogen refuelling network, he said: 'We are convinced that hydrogen is the car of the future. It is becoming clear that alternatives such as the electric car involve so many restrictions and compromises that they are simply not accepted by the customer.' But his comments drew an angry reaction from Renault, which was debuting the Kangoo electric at the show.

A spokesman said: 'Electricity will work as well as gas will and Milberg said himself that fuel cells would not be selling in large numbers for at least 10 years, so what are we supposed to do until then?' Fleets have already shown a commitment to the benefits of electric power, with Peugeot recently signing Britain's biggest electric vehicle deal for 32 106 car and Partner vans.