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A car leaves a parking station for the Autolib' electric car-share scheme on a street in Paris Christophe Ena/AP/Press Association Images

Woman knocked down by electric car 'didn't hear it coming'

The woman was hospitalised in Paris just hours after the introduction of a new electric-car sharing scheme.

A NOISELESS ELECTRIC car, lauded for its role in a brand new car-sharing program in the French capital, has knocked over a pedestrian – who apparently didn’t hear it coming.

Police say she was struck yesterday as she crossed a street against the light, hours after the Paris Autolib’ program started. The woman was hospitalised, but police say her life is not in danger .

Le Parisien daily cites police as saying she didn’t hear the car coming.

The fleet of small electric cars was introduced with great fanfare on yesterday, a follow-up to Paris’ hugely successful bike-rental program. Vincent Bollore, a businessman whose company is supplying the cars, has lauded the new electric technology.

“Now we can imagine the city without the stink and noise of exhaust pipes,” he told AFP. “You can walk behind an Autolib’ car with a push-chair and not worry about fumes.”

Police are investigating the exact circumstances of the accident.

French newspaper Le Figaro have a video of one of the electric vehicles in action:

- Additional reporting from AP

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