London: Here’s a battery-powered car that is capable of reaching a top speed of 155 mph (249 kph) and can go from 0-60 mph (96 kph approx) in just 4.3 seconds! German carmaker Artega has unveiled the SE, which it claims, will give drivers the ultimate green sports car experience, reports the Daily Mail.

The car has a 375 HP engine — more than some Porsches — and a range of 186 miles (299 km approx) after which it needs to be charged for 90 minutes, although plugging it in at home will take a little longer. But under ‘normal driving conditions’, it can comfortably do 124 miles (199 km approx) without a charge.

The SE, short for Sports Electric, is the first serious challenger to the Tesla Roadster which until now has been the world’s premier electricity powered high performance car. But for those looking to save a few pennies whilst saving the planet, they may want to look elsewhere — they will have to shell out a cool 131,000 pounds, double the price of the Tesla, to own an SE.

The SE has 16 lithium-ion battery modules, each of which contains 12 battery cells that can be charged using conventional electricity or at special stations.

There are two electric motors on the rear axle that work independently to drive each of the car’s wheels. And because they transmit their power linearly there is no delay with the steering wheel.

According to Artega, the SE has been designed by the man behind the Aston Martin DB9 and is compact in length but ‘like a limousine’ in terms of width.

“Sports car drivers usually have a very dynamic driving style, with frequent acceleration and braking, which is very energy inefficient,” said Artega spokesman Dr Wolfgang Ziebart. “But electric cars recuperate the energy lost through braking and return it to the battery.

In addition, unlike combustion engine vehicles, electric vehicles convert the full extent of the engine torque immediately, which makes driving them a completely new, very dynamic experience,” he added.

The SE was unveiled at this year’s Geneva Motor Show and is due to go into production in the coming months.

► The car has a 375 HP engine — stronger than some Porsche models in the market