Funded by Transport Scotland, the iOn’s 90 mile range allows it to cover most trips across the island, and as a bonus it can be powered from the abundant renewable energy sources available locally, including wind turbines and a growing number of wave and tidal devices being tested.

Council Leader Stephen Hagan said: ‘In many ways the Peugeot iOn is well suited to our island way of life. It has zero emissions, it’s nippy and here in Orkney we can charge it up using electricity generated from the wind, waves and tides.

‘While electric cars are normally best suited for city locations, but here on Orkney it is easily coping with our demands. The iOn can easily manage the trip from our offices here in Kirkwall to Birsay, our most northerly parish, and then to South Ronaldsay at the opposite end of our island chain.’

It’s not the first time organizations off the Scottish mainland have tried electric power. Recent trials have included a Nissan LEAF at Hebridian whiskey distiller Bruichladdich, and a converted Peugeot Explorer van is being used by the local authority in Shetland.