NOT a car for those proud of their Yorkshire heritage. No, the e-up! is Volkswagen’s foray into the world of electric motoring. More models are planned, so how does this trailblazer fare?

On the road: UNLIKE its rivals, Volkswagen has taken an existing car and electrified it – so to speak. To all intents and purposes the e-up! looks just like the standard city car it is based on.

Because of that, it doesn’t have any of the image issues that befall bespoke ‘green’ cars.

With the petrol engine given the heave-ho, designers have replaced it with an electric motor that produces around 80bhp and 155lb/ft of torque.

It’s a peppy little thing too and actually quicker off the mark than its sibling thanks to that instantaneous power.

Push the accelerator and you can leave many bigger motors in your wake. Nought to 37mph comes in 4.9 seconds and to 62mph takes 12.4 seconds.

What’s more, it’s all very controlled – there’s no jolting around as the car works its way up to the speed limit via the automatic box.

With no engine noise, you are drawn to the sound of the road and wind, but to be fair, VW has done a more than acceptable job of limiting both.

The only real issue I had was a little lack of composure in corners when pushing on, but aside from that it drives, well, like a normal car and, it might be said, better than some.

On the inside: THE first thought I had while sat in the e-up! was that it was like being in a very nice bathroom – largely because of the porcelain white dash and chrome effect door handles.

Combined with big windows, it makes for a light and airy environment.

Comfortable seating and a good all-round view make for a car that you can look forward to getting into.

Unlike some such cars, there’s no space-age design, just a dash that’s very Volkswagen, clean, efficient and effective. A central speedometer flanked by a gauge that shows charge and another illustrating the amount of battery life remaining.

What do you get: THE spec mirrors that of the range-topping High up! Over and above that you get the likes of a City Emergency Braking System, styling details, 15ins alloys, heated windscreen, DAB radio and six speakers, leather-trimmed three-spoke steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake grip, electronic climate control, satellite navigation, cruise control, rear parking sensors and a three-year subscription to the Car-Net On-line Mobile Services App.

How practical is it: In terms of space, the e-up! carries four in relative comfort, while the boot has a serviceable 250 litres of luggage room – enough to cope with a fold-up pushchair and a few bags of shopping. On to the important stuff – VW says the car has a range of up to 100miles on a standard nine-hour charge. It is possible to fast charge it to 80 per cent in just 30 minutes.

I managed the 40-mile round-trip to work and back on a single charge with around 20 miles battery power left. Switching anything on, radio, lights, air conditioning, impacts on the longevity and if you go for the whole shebang it is possible to watch the juice deplete before your eyes. In addition to the standard three-pin plug charge, I also charged the car while out and about, which, if you are prepared to invest in a contract with one of the providers and can find one of their outlets, makes for hassle free energising.

Running costs: WHILE the e-up! looks like the standard car, the cost is nowhere near. You can get a decent specced up! for under £10,000, but even with the Government’s £5,000 plug-in grant, you are talking near enough £20,000. However, when compared with other electric cars, it fares pretty well. Plug it in off-peak and compared with filling up at the pump you’re going to be paying pennies. Build quality was also impressive, so unless there are any unforeseen electrical issues, you should benefit there too.

Verdict: IF I was looking to go electric, this is the car I’d choose.

Alternatives: Nissan LEAF, Mitsubishi i-Miev