Frankfurt 2009: Peugeot iOn

• Electric city car
• Version of Mitsubishi iMiev
• On sale in 2010

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Isn’t this a Mitsubishi iMiev electric car?
Well spotted, but no. This is Peugeot’s version of that car, which will also be sold as a Citroen as part of a cooperation between the companies.

The iOn goes on sale towards the end of 2010 and is likely to cost £20,000 to £25,000.

Ouch, that’s a lot isn’t it?
Yes, it is a lot, but if you want to be an early adopter on the cutting edge of electric car technology that’s the price you have to pay.

We’ve driven the iMiev, on which the iOn is based, and think its an excellent car.

Despite the price tag, and the worries that you may need more than its 80-mile range, the iOn will be able to carry four people in comfort at up to 80mph.

This is much more than just a car for cities – it’s one that can also cope with the towns and high-speed roads in between them.

Doesn’t it take all day to charge it back up again?
Don’t be so negative. The iOn, and its Mitsubishi and Citroen counterparts, need six hours to recharge fully from empty, or half an hour to get back up to 80% charge.

Okay, but electricity doesn’t grow on trees, does it?
True, but even with electricity from the most old-fashioned coal-fired power stations the iOn has far lower carbon dioxide emissions that conventionally-powered cars.

Local pollution is completely taken out of the equation, so the iOn wouldn’t spout harmful particulates or NOx around our towns.