Let’s get one major hurdle to the i3’s greatness out of the way with first – it’s eye-wateringly expensive. For a car with about the cabin and boot space of a Mini Clubman, you’ll spend €46,510.
Now, it’s true, you can knock €10,000 off that thanks to a VRT rebate and an SEAI grant, but that’s still €36,000 (with no extras) for a very small car with only four seatbelts.
There are, however, compensations. It has a carbon-fibre chassis, for a start (just like a McLaren). Plus it has a 170hp electric motor, which means performance is sports-car-like from low-down. Plus it has one of the best-looking car interiors of anything currently on sale. Plus, and this is the best bit, it’s actually fun to drive.
In fact, it’s the only electric car this side of a €100,000-plus Tesla Model S that’s actually as much fun to drive as an equivalent old-fashioned combustion-engined car.
The upgraded 94ah battery will get you an easy 200km between charges, and the optional (noisy) range-extender petrol engine will add another 100km to that. BMW has added a supposedly sporty version, the i3s, but it boasts little more than extended wheel arches and start at €52,130 – way too much money for a car this size.
Best model: i3 94ah with range extender Prices start from: €36,330 (including grants) Finance package from: €325 CO2 emissions: 0-13g/km Sum-up: The first truly fun electric car. More like this, please, BMW – though with better range.