Tense about river vehicle (8,3)

I believe the answer is:

electric car

'vehicle' is the definition.
(electric car is a kind of vehicle)

'tense about river' is the wordplay.
'tense' becomes 'electric' (similar in meaning).
'about' becomes 'ca' (short for circa).
'river' becomes 'r' (abbreviation for river).
'electric'+'ca'+'r'='ELECTRIC CAR'

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

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