Battery car runs out of puff

"Sparky" has lost his spark and is for sale "as is, where is".

Environment Canterbury converted "Sparky" - a white 1994 Toyota Starlet - to run on 12-volt batteries 10 years ago as part of its commitment to clean air.

However, property manager Neville Bishell said the prototype pollution-free electric car had been "laid up" for some time, needing new batteries, and had been replaced in the council's fleet.

The car was for sale by tender and Mr Bishell hoped the buyer would use it for research or repair.