..... not plugged in

CNET voted the C5 top of its list of "terrible tech products" in 2007.

The initial idea was a good one, but all the development came from a very small pool of people, possibly one, Clive Sinclair.

The car was exposed to the elements, had a top speed of 15 mph, and overheated going up hills. When you were sat it in it you felt very small and vulnerable next to other cars, lorries or vans.

It did not sell.

From a good idea it is very easy to "muck it up". Did he research and get feedback from the market as he went along? (possibly not). If the market said "make it bigger" and the engineer said "the engine will never take the strain captain", then an electric car was not commercially possible (yet). They could have put the project on hold until battery technology was improved.