New Car 2011 - Used Cars and Concept

The Think City electric car, which has a top speed of 65 mph and a 110-mile range, is expected to be available in the United States in 2009.

A Norwegian automaker backed by Silicon Valley investors plans to sell in the United States an electric car that goes 110 miles without a charge and costs less than $25,000.

The company, Think Global, annnounced Monday that two venture capital firms with Silicon Valley roots are funding the U.S. operation: RockPort Capital Partners, and Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield & Byers.

Think North America is likely to be based in Southern California and the cars will be assembled locally, the partners said.

They intend to put the first model on the market by the end of 2009.

The car, named Think City, is a two-seater with a top speed of about 65 mph, the company said. It runs on sodium batteries and is 95 percent recyclable.

Only a few major automakers, including Nissan Motor Co. and Mitsubishi Motor Co., have announced plans to make all-electric cars