THEY are being hailed as the perfect way to save money – and carbon.

A fleet of 26 all-electric cars called Renault Twizys have been launched in the New Forest for the second time in two years.

The multi-coloured two-seaters have a top speed of 52mph and can travel for 50 miles before they need to be re-charged.

They made their debut in the Forest in 2013 but have been off the road for several months.

Now Hire A Twizy, based at Setters Farm in Lymington, has bought the vehicles from the previous operator and is also planning to launch a similar venture on the Isle of Wight.

The “funky” vehicles were paraded at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu – scene of the original launch.

People can hire a Twizy for £49 a day. The package includes free use of all car parks owned by New Forest District Council and a complimentary Brand New Forest card, which entitles the user to discounts in shops, pubs and restaurants across the district.

But the environment is set to benefit just as much as Twizy users.

Chris Beach, owner of Hire A Twizy, said: “The idea is to get people out of their cars and into a sustainable form of transport.

“We’re going to roll out another 20 charging points not only for Twizys but for electric cars as a whole. When you use a Twizy you will never be more than two or three miles from a charging point.”

Representatives from the council and the National Park Authority gathered to celebrate the launch of a new business with a zero carbon footprint.

Anthony Climpson, the council’s employment and tourism said: “Twizys are great fun to drive – and so silent you can enjoy and really ‘feel’ the Forest in a way you can’t in an ordinary car.”

Ben Fletcher, of Renault, said he was attending an event in Scotland when someone mentioned the Forest’s fleet of Twizys.

“It shows what a great job Hire A Twizy are doing – they are putting the New Forest on the map as a tourist destination,” he said.

“We can talk about how manoeuvrable they are and how easy they are to park, but the chief thing about them is that they’re fun to drive.

“Once you’ve been in a Twizy you will know that they’re the perfect way to explore the area.”

For details call Hire A Twizy on 01590 675675.