I'll have one please, thank you! [Mini E]

With a 0-62mph time of 8.5 seconds, 201bhp and peak torque of 162lb.ft. As the chinking of bottles from the milkman's float in the morning highlights, with electric motors the peak torque is delivered to the wheels immediately. Press the accelerator on the MINI E and the response is lightning fast, the acceleration instantaneous. There are no gears, just pop the 'gear' sector into drive, prod the accelerator and you're off. Quickly. It's hugely addictive and makes the MINI E feel more rapid than even its supercharged petrol relatives.

It's pretty silent too. There's a rush of wind noise and some whirring from the motors but other than that you're just pinned back in your seat as the MINI rockets down the road. That's doubly impressive when you consider that the MINI E weighs 1,465kg, or around 265kg more than its petrol equivalent. You feel that slightly in the firm ride and leaden steering, but otherwise it's all pure MINI.

MINI claims around 150 miles is possible on a charge, which - depending on the outlet rating - takes as long as ten hours.