CREATIVE pupil Sean Elliott yesterday got the chance to sit behind the wheel of a new electric car whose livery he designed in a Swindon-wide competition.

Swindon Commercial Services Ltd, the main service provider for Swindon Council, has bought its first all-electric vehicle, a Mitsubishi iMiEV, for use as a staff pool car.

About 30 Swindon schools and colleges took part in a competition to design a wrap for the car, which would attract the attention of people around Swindon and promote SCS.

Managing director Bill Fisher unveiled the final product to winner Sean, who designed the livery during a GCSE Graphics class at Isambard School.

“It’s the first electric vehicle for SCS and we think it’s one of the first in the country of this type to be used by a local government organisation,” said Mr Fisher. “I think the company has a green image. We do care about our environment and I think there’s no greater manifestation of that image than to do something physically.

“The car now has a very striking appearance. It has got that solar design on it. It’s what we stand for and it’s the future.”

The initial cost of the car, which requires no tax, has been offset against the reduction in casual car mileage claims to make it a viable business investment. Once the car has undertaken 8,000 miles, it will pay for itself.

SCS has charging facilities at the Waterside Depot, at Cheney Manor Industrial Estate, and there are plans to have charging facilities at the Civic Offices in Euclid Street.

After the SCS directors team chose Sean’s design from about 500 to 600 entries, Mitsubishi produced and applied the wrap free of charge.

Sean, 16, of Redhouse, said: “It’s pretty good. I wanted to go for a really outgoing car. Everyone will see it when it goes around.”

Graphics teacher Marie Stacey said the competition was good for the school and for Sean, boosting his confidence.

She said: “I think it’s brilliant. It’s really good for the school.

“I think it represents the school in a great way and hopefully it will get more children interested in graphics, which is brilliant.”

Sean won himself a £50 technology voucher and Isambard won £400 for a horticultural makeover, which the school is still deciding how to spend.

SCS has also made a bid to acquire some hydrogen-powered vans, which it plans to be used by its housing maintenance team.