Electric Rolls-Royce Phantom Only a Year Away?

LONDON — Rolls-Royce could have an electric Phantom in production within the year, according to reports from Europe.

Britain's Autocar magazine reports that a proposed Rolls Phantom EV could be "one of the centerpieces of [corporate parent] BMW's sponsorship of the 2012 London Olympics."

Although a running prototype has yet to hit the road, the publication said a battery-powered Phantom is being developed as a "technological showcase" and that Rolls is considering low-volume production with a lease-only business model.

Rumors of an electric Phantom surfaced earlier this fall at the Goodwood Revival, first appearing in Britain's Auto Express and other U.K. publications and Web sites. A year ago, Car magazine carried a report that Rolls was considering an electric Phantom.

BMW is rapidly developing an expertise in advanced battery technology and electric vehicles, with such products as the Mini E.

Inside Line says: BMW appears to be playing catch-up with some of its major competitors, but don't count out the Bavarian tech wizards just yet. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent