(September 4, 2011) Another world automaker is jumping on the electric car bandwagon.

Skoda, a subsidiary of Volkswagen based in the Czech Republic, has begun production of a 10-car trial fleet of its first ever fully electric car, the Octavia E Line. It's the next step in Skoda's continued efforts to reduce emissions and consumption levels throughout the company.

The Octavia Green E Line is based on the series-production Octavia wagon as its modular floorpan design is ideal in terms of arranging batteries, electrical control units and electric motor.

The first Octavia Green E Lines will appear on the roads this fall, with the driving data collated by its trial drivers collated to feed back into the continued research and development in this area.

The Octavia Green E Line accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in a rather sluggish 12 seconds, and its maximum speed is limited to 84 mph. The electricity for the Octavia Green E Line is supplied by a modern ion-lithium battery (26.5 kWh) with a range-per-charge of 93 miles that is made up of 180 lithium-ion cells, weighs about 315 kilograms and recovers energy as the driver brakes with the engine.

“Emission-free mobility is one of our key goals for the future, and my opinion is that electric vehicles are the right answer to the increasingly stringent emission limits and the need to develop the automotive industry sustainable.” explains Skoda Auto board member for Technological Development Dr. Eckhard Scholz.

“Our strength lies in a combination of our highly competent and qualified technological development staff and the Volkswagen Group's extensive know-how, and I believe that it is exactly this combination that will enable us to develop an electric vehicle to be seen as a real step forward.”

Skoda vehicles are not sold in North America.