In 2012 You will be able to buy this four-door electric Renault Fluence for just £17,850. That makes it the most affordable EV on the market.

That price is of course only effective after the £5,000 Plug-In Car Grant. Compared to the similar sized hybrid and diesels, the Fluence sounds like good value, but you will be paying the price when you have to charge it up after every 150 miles. And yo have to live with poor performance of the 70kW (95hp), 226Nm torque powertrain.

It makes sense only as a stylish and rather practical city runabout.

The car comes a separate battery lease contract for customers peace of mind from £75 per month (based on 6,000 miles per year/3 years). Additional mileage and contract length details will be available closer to UK launch. The initial launch version of Fluence Z.E., Prime Time, comes with a high level of equipment, including 16” alloy wheels, climate control, cruise control, ecoMeter and Carminat TomTom Live smart satellite navigation, together with charging sockets on both front wings.

The car is available to reserve online now for £20 at www.renault-ze.com.