Spain sells just 16 Electric cars so far in 2010

Spain's much-publicized plan to have thousands of electric cars on the road in the coming years appears way off target: Only 16 have been sold so far this year.

The government-backed REVE electric car and wind power project said on its website Tuesday that 2010 sales are at least up 15 from last year when just one was sold.

The Industry Ministry's plan was to have 2,000 electric cars on the road by the end of 2010 and 20,000 electrical and hybrid vehicles operating the following year.

In April, Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero announced the government would invest euro590 million in promoting and developing production of electric cars over the next two years.

The plan was a key element of the government's strategy to try to help the economy.