The race to produce the most usable electric car has begun in earnest with Mitsubishi, Nissan and Renault setting the pace with the iMiEV, Leaf and Fluence Z.E respectively. Peugeot is the latest to enter the fray with the iOn, which is essentially an iMiEV with a prettier face and a Peugeot badge. Electrically powered cars are now creating a buzz and although they may appear radical they are nothing new.

Indeed Peugeot could be regarded as a pioneer in the world of the electric car: in 1941 the French car maker developed the VLV, an electric lightweight urban vehicle, several hundred of which found their way onto the streets of Paris. Although the iOn and the iMiEV are pretty much the same – both vehicles share parts and the same platform – the Peugeot may be a more realistic option because you can lease it on a monthly basis instead of buying the car outright.

So is the iOn a useful and practical car for getting around the city or just another stab in the dark by car makers wanting to climb aboard the electric bandwagon? Read on to find out more…