Motoring

Mission Motors did indeed have a mission and they accomplished it in September 2009 when they broke the land speed record for an electric motorcycle. At Utah's infamous Bonneville Salt Flats the Mission One, which is a prototype not a custom bike, shattered the 150 mph mark.

The zero-emissions Mission One was ridden by Jeremy Cleland, becoming the world's fastest electric-powered vehicle when it hit an average speed of 150.059mph over two miles. On the same day it also beat 70 per cent of the petrol-engine bikes competing at the famous white flats.

Cleland proudly stated: "This is a bike that can rip up the track at Infineon Raceway, do power wheelies at 80 mph, and then come out here to Bonneville and dismantle the prior electric world speed record. It pulls hard all the way from 0 on up to 161mph, all in one gear, with incredible torque."

And it's not just a thing of fantasy either; the San Francisco-made bike, which powered by a 240-volt battery that only takes two hours to charge, will be available next year £42,000. A more affordable one is expected in 2012.