City cars

Traditionally a bread and butter segment for electric cars, the city car segment has near mechanically identical battery-electric offerings from Mitsubishi, Citroën and Peugeot. Renault’s futuristic Twizy two-seater will also launch this summer.

Superminis

A production version of the battery-electric Renault ZOE will launch this summer, and is designed from the ground up to run on electricity. It offers a 100-mile range and 80bhp electric motor, while the carmaker’s battery leasing scheme is claimed to result in equivalent pricing to a conventional diesel car.

Lower medium

Nissan’s award-winning LEAF has proved electric cars don’t have to be small, and will be joined by the electric Renault Fluence and Ford Focus within 18 months. Those seeking long-distance cruising ability will get the option of the 40g/km Vauxhall Ampera and Chevrolet Volt, which offer a 50-mile range and petrol engine to top up battery power. Toyota’s Plug-in Prius also falls just under the 50g/km target.

Upper medium

The Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid offers a unique proposition in the upper medium segment, combining power and luxury with 49g/km CO2 emissions and 148mpg fuel economy thanks to its 30-mile electric range. But that technology doesn’t come cheap.