BRYAN Billau is starting a quiet revolution on Britain's roads by becoming the first importer of electric pick-up trucks from China.

The unusual three-wheeled Electrux, some of them painted bright red or blue, are the latest import of the Stroud businessman's Big Bike Company.

With a dozen batteries to power them, the eco-friendly Electrux have the potential to travel 100 miles on one full charge from an ordinary electric plug and are believed to be the first to be brought into Britain.

"The beauty is there's no congestion charge, no road tax, very low running costs, no car parking charges and, in Westminster, a lot of free places were you can charge up," Mr Billau said.

Eerily quiet when driven, the sturdy little lorries offer an ultra smooth ride and were discovered as Mr Billau, 62, scoured the globe for three-wheel vehicles to run as catering wagons.

Similar in design to the Indian Tuk Tuks, petrol-driven versions of the Electrux are quite common in China said Mr Billau, who made two trips to the country to set up the deal.

With leather driver's and passenger front seats, stereo, CD and capable of carrying around 500kg, the Electrux are expected to sell for around £9,500 plus VAT.

"I have always been interested in battery-powered vehicles," Mr Billau said.

"The next thing is I plan to link up with a wind turbine company in Cornwall so we can offer the world's first wind-powered truck."