Should you buy one?

While it wouldn’t have been near the top of our recommended list originally with its smaller battery, right now it’s up there as a contender. Yes, the range is small compared with a Renault Zoe at 159 miles versus 250, but the Volkswagen can still go further on a single charge than the pricier Honda e and MINI Electric Hatch.

Okay, it doesnt have the glitz or wow factor of those two, the Honda especially, but the VW’s a dependable, easy-to-adapt-to electric car that remains decent to drive and functional for four people.

It’s so easy to drive and charging it is child’s play – there’s a lot to like. We’d even take one over a petrol-powered Up thanks in part to the improved ride quality.

So is it Parkers’ electric city car of choice? No, not quite.

Those in-house rivals would make us think twice. If you’re not so bothered about much of the e-Up’s generous kit rosta, then the more basic Skoda Citigo-e iV SE comes in almost £3,000 less expensive. That could be too hard for people to ignore.

But, even with the Citigo-e in plusher SE L guise or the similar single high-spec SEAT Mii Electric, both of which closely mirror the equipment fitted to the e-Up, you’re still saving in the region of £400 over the Volkswagen, hence they’d get our vote. You’d have to really prize that VW roundel to go for the e-Up, but if you did, you’re still getting a very accomplished city car that happens to be electric.

Further reading:

>> The best small electric cars and EVs on sale today

>> Is the chic Honda e the electric city car to be in?

>> Find out why the MINI Electric Hatch focuses on sportiness

>> How much is your car worth? Use Parkers’ valuation service