Citroen ev'ie

By James Foxall

May 2009

• Rating:

The VW Polo diesel is one of the most eco-friendly superminis around – but an electric version is still years away. However, you can buy a plug-in Citroen C1 right now! It’s the work of the Electric Car Corporation (ECC), and is called the ev’ie.

Under the bonnet is a 30kW electric motor and a row of 25 lithium-ion batteries, which can be topped up from the mains. Behind the wheel, the only distinguishing feature is a dial on the rev counter showing battery charge. The automatic gearlever is slightly different, too. Push it forwards to select Drive; pull it back for reverse.

The ev’ie doesn’t feel very lively as you draw away from a standstill, but with a top speed of 60mph and a 75-mile range, it’s adequate enough for city driving. Despite the extra weight in the nose, it still handles well and remains a full four-seater – unlike its rival, the MINI E.

The big problem is the price tag. Even though it costs little more than a penny a mile to run, you’d have to travel 200,000 miles to make up the difference between this and a regular C1! It’s a brave effort, but it only serves to prove that before promised Government grants are taken into account, electric cars still have a long way to go.

Rival: Mitsubishi i-MIEV
Electric version of the firm’s city car carries over the regular model’s bold looks and four-seater cabin. But the £35,000 asking price is prohibitive.

Tell us about your car in our Driver Power survey.