Carice Mk1 electric sports car

It looks like a Porsche 356 from the late 1950s, is made from plastic and propelled by battery power, but as kooky as the Carice Mk1 sounds it could well be a glimpse into a far flung future direction of the car industry.

As governments adopt new emissions laws to reduce pollution, traditionally heavy, thirsty metal-bodied vehicles could give way to niche products such as the Carice Mk1, which has a total mass of just 350kg thanks to its plastic shell and compact dimensions.

Priced at €22,000, or about $32,000, the tiny roadster is powered by an electric motor available in three states of tune: 15kW, 40kW and a special 4kW 'junior' version for 16-year-old drivers.

Top speed is claimed to be 100km/h and the battery pack allows for a range of around 110km. The European car maker can even install a compact petrol engine to extend the vehicle's cruising range.

No acceleration figures have been divulged, but with a power to weight ratio of 114kW per tonne, the car is likely to be a spritely motivator when you sink the clog in.

According to Carice, the Mk1 harks back to simpler days when cars were made to be driven, not just a mode of transport. Perhaps that's why the Porsche 356-inspired design was chosen?

"If you take away unnecessary things long enough... you'll get to the essence of motoring," says the company.

At the car's core is a simple "backbone" chassis layout comprised of a single beam that runs the length of the car and incorporates the batteries. Most components such as the suspension are also attached to the backbone, and Carice reckons the car has equal 50:50 weight distribution over the front and rear axles, ensuring dextrous handling.

Just 10 cars are planned to be built by the Dutch company to begin with so it doesn't appear as though Carice wants to challenge Tesla for the title of 'world's coolest electric car maker' just yet.

It has no roof, one window – a low windscreen – and a bare-bones interior with simple toggle switches for indicators and ancillary controls. A tonneau cover is available to keep the cabin dry once occupants are out.