Sir James Dyson has turned his innovative genius to the creation of an environmentally friendly car.

Engineers at the Dyson research laboratory in Malmesbury are working on a lightweight motor for the electric cars and solar panels on the car or the roof of the car to charge it with renewable energy.

Sir James employs a research team of 400 at his facility in Malmesbury and manufactures his products in Malaysia.

Sir James told The Independent on Sunday, that he predicted that electric cars would be "the future" of transport, and could outnumber petrol vehicles in as little as 10 years' time.

The creator of the bagless vacuum cleaner said the main problem with the electric cars that are now on the road is that they are slow and won't go very far without needing a charge.

At present, electric cars are powered by a motor charged from a normal socket connected to the national grid. "Most of the time a car isn't being used," said Sir James, "so a photo voltaic solar charge over a long period of time is an absolutely suitable way of charging a car."

With petrol prices reaching an all time high carmakers are researching vehicles that avoid dependence on fossil fuel such as electric and hybrid cars.