Recall for G-Wiz electric cars that could catch fire while recharging

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The zero-emission vehicles are favoured by eco-enthusiasts and celebrities such as Jonathan Ross, Jerry Hall and Kristin Scott Thomas.

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Star's car: Kristin Scott Thomas and her G-Wiz car

They are marketed as the ultimate city car as they are exempt from London's £8-a-day congestion charge and eligible for free on-street parking and recharging in some council car parks.

Their safety has, however, been questioned by motoring experts and ministers.

Government research found the G-Wiz failed the sort of crash test conventional family cars and 4x4s must pass to be allowed on the road. And in May, the motoring magazine Top Gear produced spectacular photographs of a G-Wiz disintegrating in a standard crash test.

The mass recall was apparently triggered by an incident involving an overheating battery charger unit in one car, which caused it to burst into flames.

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Nippy runabou: But around 600 G-Wiz cars have been recalled

The Vehicle Operating Standards Authority, which polices safety recalls, said the problem was traced to a heat sensor.

Those recalled will have a replacement heat-sensitive cutout switch and a new fire retardant cover fitted at a service centre in Southall, West London.

The G-Wiz is manufactured in India by the Reva Electric Car Company but is marketed, sold and serviced here by GoinGreen.

GoinGreen claims the car - which retails for £7,299, is exempt from road tax and costs just a penny a mile to run - is the best-selling electric car in the world.

Managing director Keith Johnston said: "The recall was undertaken as a precautionary measure following a single incident of failure, where no one was injured.

"GoinGreen supports the action, which demonstrates the highest level of commitment to safety in electric vehicles."

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Jonathan Ross and his wife Jane have said they are very fond of their G-Wiz

At present, the cars are classed as quadricycles - a category designed for unconventional vehicles not intended for mainstream use. But this, and the criticism from experts, has not damaged their popularity.

Miss Scott Thomas has said: "I love my G-Wiz. It is such fun to drive, easy to park, nippy. Children laugh when I pass by."