We say The Peugeot iOn is a small electric car from the French manufacturer that shares the same platform and technology as the Mitsubishi i-MiEV and the Citroen C-Zero. It's suited to inner city driving and comes with zero tailpipe emissions but it's still not clear that EVs like this stack up as a buying proposition. Performance The Peugeot iOn feels quick from standstill because there is no lag in the drivetrain with all its power immediately available. That means you can get up to city driving speeds quickly but it's not quite so impressive after that. It clears 60mph in 15.9 seconds but gets to 30mph in just under six seconds. There's a 49kW battery powering the electric motor.Emissions Emissions are the iOn's strongest suit and if you discount the carbon dioxide generated in a faraway power station in charging up the i0n, there are zero tailpipe emissions. It has a notional range of just 93 miles, though real-life ranges may differ according to a number of factors. Still, a full charge for an EV is frequently guesstimated at around one pound, so do the maths if you're still interested.Driving To drive the iOn is fine around the city because it's small, nippy and easily manoeuvrable - the almost-silent powertrain will astound if you've not driven an EV before - however around corners there's a lot of bodyroll because of its tall sides and relatively heavy weight. On the motorway these little electric cars feel a little outgunned. Feel The iOn offers some of the quietest driving on the road thanks to a complete lack of engine roar and more of a gentle hum in its place. It's a comfortable place to sit as well with lots of visibility and decent space for passengers - and suspension is supple.Space The Peugeot iOn is tall sided which means plenty of headroom. It also makes the most of its relatively small dimensions with a decent amount of passenger space. There's a 170-litre boot at the rear, which is not especially useful.Equipment Equipment levels are decent in the iOn with the usual mix of CD player, alloys and safety equipment that you'd expect of any combustion car. There's also a slightly more complex trip and tachometer computer that relays what charge is left and potential range.Price The iOn retails at a massive £33,000 from new but it is also available on a slightly more reasonable lease deal. It's important to remember the financial savings of an electric car in terms of running costs when considering it - in terms of fuel, road tax and congestion charges. However you'd have to drive a lot of miles to recoup the original outlay - and residual values will remain something of a mystery for some time to come. Quality The Peugeot iOn is decent in terms of interior quality but the materials slapped around the cabin do feel quite cheap and cheerful. It is solid and sturdy though.Safety The Peugeot iOn comes with a four star safety rating from Euro NCAP. Pros Cheap running costs and a surprisingly practical interior make the iOn a decent prospect if it fits your particular needs.Cons The iOn's very high price tag and range anxieties should be enough to put most consumers off.Alternatives Nissan Leaf, Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Ford Fiesta
