NEW EV WILL SEEM VERY FAMILIAR TO VAUXHALL OWNERS

The last car that was delivered to me to test before the lockdown was a Renault Zoe, which as you probably know is a fully electric car. The first car to be delivered in the eased lockdown is a Vauxhall Corsa-e, also an electric car.

So for the limited amount of driving that I’ve done during the last two months, which is mainly going back and forth caring for my 94-year-old mum, all of it has been in an EV.

I’m getting pretty used to this electric business. Wouldn’t say I was at the evangelist stage yet, but I’m warming to it.

The Corsa-e is essentially the same car as the Peugeot e-208 but not quite as good looking. Vauxhall was quick out of the box with this car because there is no fully electric Ford hatchback and very few from other rivals. There’s really only the aforementioned Zoe, the Mini E and Honda E – the latter offering a shorter range and higher price.

The Corsa-e has a 100kw electric motor and a 50kwh battery giving it a range in ideal conditions of 209 miles, which is about 25 miles less than the

Vauxhall Corsa-e Elite Nav four-door hatchback

Price: £30,310

Engine: Single electric motor, 133bhp

0-60mph: 7.6sec

Range: 209 miles

Renault. Vauxhall will also give you a wall-mounted fast charger and fit it for free. This is just as well because charging the car from a domestic socket will take up to 24 hours. Use a public rapid charger and you will be able to bring your Corsa-e’s battery up to 80% charge in 30 minutes.

Slip inside and you’ll see a rather more straightforward interior than the Peugeot’s. No

There’ll be a lot of deals around this summer as manufacturers and dealers try to make up for a couple of months of zero car sales. Kia has already pitched in with a 0% APR finance deal that runs across almost all of its ranges, from the Picanto city car to the Sportage crossover, pictured. And the firm’s scrappage scheme is still operating with up to £2,500 if you trade in your old motor for a new greener car. There’s also a £500 loyalty payment for Kia owners wanting a new model. The various offers are quite complicated so give your local dealer a shout.