PRIME Minister Gordon Brown congratulated BMW on their new electric Mini after one of them was driven into Downing Street yesterday.

The car company provided one of 600 Mini-E cars produced at its Cowley Plant to be used by Government ministers.

The car arrived almost silently to be met by Mr Brown and Business Secretary Peter Mandelson.

About 40 of the cars, which can travel more than 100 miles on a four-hour charge, will be trialled by volunteers for six months to help BMW gather data on their mileage and the number of times they are charged at specially installed power points.

Mr Brown said: “I congratulate BMW and Mini for their ground-breaking project and I welcome the extensive road testing that has now begun.”

Lord Mandelson added: “I’m very excited we are going to have this Mini available to the ministerial car pool. I’m just hoping they’ll allow me to drive it.”