Clive Sinclair is back with another electric dream

The C5 is still held up by many as one of the ultimate business failures
The C5 is still held up by many as one of the ultimate business failures
STEVE BLOGG / REX FEATURES

One thing you can certainly say about Sir Clive Sinclair, the eclectic inventor-cum-entrepreneur: he doesn’t give up.

After an early success with his ZX Spectrum computer, his first foray into the transport industry in 1985 — the notorious C5 — is still held up by many as one of the ultimate business failures.

The electric car had a range of 20 miles and a top speed of 15mph, and was thought to have cost Sir Clive millions, but showing impressive persistence he is to launch his latest eco-road gadget, called the X-1, next year.

A 30kg electric vehicle that looks like a cross between a bike and a space pod, the X-1 will go on sale from July for just under £600.

On his website,