BBC reporter takes an Ecar test drive across Northern Ireland

BBC reporter Conor Macauley getting to grips with the Ecar

It's a test drive with a difference.

A maximum range of 90 miles and the chance to enjoy a cup of coffee because your electric car needs a charge so that you can finish your trip.

Who could refuse the chance to borrow one for the week?

Well that's exactly what BBC Newsline is doing and I'm the guinea pig who is going to do my 50-mile daily commute in it.

I'm really hoping it doesn't run out of power halfway down the motorway.

Electric cars have been touted as the future of motoring.

In the past year, about £2m has been spent in Northern Ireland putting in the infrastructure to make them viable.

There are already about 40 charge points across the country, not just in places like Belfast and Londonderry, but in border areas like Belleek in County Fermanagh and Carnlough in County Antrim.

More are planned.

Cost

Philip Reaney explains how to charge the Ecar

But it's fair to say most people here are still sceptical. Range is a huge issue, as is the list price.

They're not cheap, between £14,000-£30,000 depending on the make and model, although there is a £5,000 government grant to help towards the cost.

The flip side is that running costs and maintenance are said to be very reasonable.

This week BBC Newsline has been given a car by the Department of Regional Development which along with the Department of Environment is responsible for the Ecar scheme.

We're going to see how it performs on my daily commute, try to assess how much it costs to run and take it for a trip round Northern Ireland to see whether we can visit each of the six counties in a single day on battery power alone.

I'll have a daily diary of my travels here and I'll be reporting the outcome for BBC Newsline and BBC Radio Ulster across the week.

I'll also be tweeting updates on conor macauley (TVconormac) on Twitter as I go along.

The tow truck is on standby, let's hope we don't need it.