The Octavia E-Line is based on a conventional Octavia Estate, with a modular floorplan which the manufacturer said was ideal for housing the batteries, control units and electric motor. Skoda said the data gathered will inform development of a forthcoming production plug-in hybrid.

Its electric motor produces 114bhp at peak power output, with 199lb.ft torque. This allows the car to reach 62mph in 12 seconds, with an 84mph top speed and 93 mile range, which can be extended using its brake energy recovery system.

ŠKODA Auto BOD member for technological development Dr. Eckhard Scholz, commented: ‘Emission-free mobility is one of our key goals for the future, and my opinion is that electric vehicles are the right answer to the increasingly stringent emission limits and the need to develop the automotive industry sustainable.

‘Our strength lies in a combination of our highly competent and qualified technological development staff and the Volkswagen Group's extensive know-how, and I believe that it is exactly this combination that will enable us to develop an electric vehicle to be seen as a real step forward.’