Pupils at Dyffryn Taf School in Whitland experienced the 'Brave New World of Electric Vehicles', this week, when J. J. Motors, of Cross Hands, let the design technology department have a Nissan Leaf on loan for the pupils and staff to evaluate its capabilities.

With a range of 100 miles, the innovative Nissan Leaf is the best-selling 100 per cent electric car in the world. With a top speed of 100 mph and an equivalent of 385 mpg, it is easy to see why the five-door family saloon was voted Car of the Year in 2011.

Pupils studying design technology at Dyffryn Taf were treated to a test drive. They were shown how to charge the lithium-ion battery, use the on-board computer to plot their journey and locate charging stations where the battery could be topped up en-route.

Team Dragon, the school's young engineers club, are competing in the Toyota Technology Challenge, a national engineering and technology competition, in which schools from across the UK race solar powered electric cars. Having previously been the Welsh champions for two consecutive years, the pressure is on for this year's team to do equally well.

Headmaster, Mr. Robert Newsome OBE said: "The school is very proud of its eco credentials and we fly the flag in Wales for a hi-tec and sustainable future, so the opportunity to have such an innovative car at the school is very much appreciated."