Citroen C-Zero Electric 5dr Car Review - March 2012

Powered by an electric motor which receives its energy from a rechargeable battery, this car boasts a modest top speed of 80 mph, accelerating from 0-62 mph in 15.9 seconds. Whilst this is not particularly fast in comparison to conventional cars it is a fair achievement for an electric vehicle and is more than adequate for a city car.

Unfortunately, whilst the car boasts good green credentials and decent performance, recharging could be something of an issue with limited charge stations located within the UK and a range of under 100 miles available on a full charge meaning drivers would need to plan ahead to ensure they have enough power to stay on the road.

In terms of comfort and grip, the car handles itself on the road well and controls are firm. Turns and bends can feel a little unsteady if taken at speed but imperfections in the road are barely felt thanks to a low centre of gravity and good suspension. However, whilst this is true for city driving when the car is taken out of town it struggles to command authority on the road and feels vulnerable to strong winds.

Noise from the road and wind is audible but not excessive during general use whilst the electric motor emits a low hum which is non-disruptive. However, when driven at speed this noise intensifies and wind noise increases.

In terms of appearances, the Citroen C-Zero is attractively designed with smooth and simple lines. An innovative design in the cabin has imitated conventional cars to offer a model which is more familiar. The drive selector resembles an ordinary gear lever and the fuel gauge is replaced by a battery charge dial.

Unfortunately, the vehicle is missing some of the in-car tech many drivers are now accustomed to and this is a disadvantage. Power steering, central locking, stability control, alloy wheels, climate control, electric door mirrors and electric front windows are all fitted as standard but there is no cruise control option and leather seats are also unavailable. There is no option to have an alarm or built-in sat nav either but the car does benefit from an advanced stereo system with MP3 and Bluetooth connectivity.

A high driving position within the cabin means that drivers can struggle to become comfortable. On top of this the four person capacity boasted by the car is a little optimistic and four adults would struggle to fit into the small city car. Leg room in particular is cramped in the rear seats where adult passengers are likely to end up pressed against the back of the front seats, making long journeys uncomfortable for all involved.

Boot capacity is also limited when the full four person capacity is reached, offering just 166 litres of space. However, marketed as a small city car, this would be more than adequate for the average trip to work and means the model benefits from small dimensions which makes it easier to drive and park.

In terms of safety, the C-Zero achieved a four star rating in the NCAP tests with driver, passenger and front side airbags all fitted as standard features. Whilst there is no alarm option with the model an immobiliser is a standard feature and buyers also get an eight year warranty with 80,000 miles.

As a newcomer to the world of motoring, little is known about reliability at this stage but the fact that electric vehicles are simpler than their petrol or diesel ancestors is thought to work in their favour.

Costing £28,155 this electric vehicle isn’t cheap. As a rarer vehicle, depreciation is unknown and that means buyers face a fair risk if they choose to invest in this vehicle.

Road tax costs will be free thanks to the 0 g/km carbon emissions and recharging means that drivers will not have to spend a fortune on petrol. Insurance premiums fall under bracket 28 which is fairly mid-range – making it neither cheap nor expensive.

Overall, the C-Zero is a decent electric car which combines excellent green credentials with style but restricted mileage and a high purchase price mean it is only likely to appeal to a niche market.