Green Genies: Renault 5 v Fiat Grande Panda

Who’d have thought that hope – genuine real optimism that there may come a time when most if not all people would actually choose to buy an electric car – would have come from machines as modestly specified and affordable as these? We’re not there yet, and I must be clear about that from the off, for these are still niche offerings and will remain so until a charging infrastructure worthy of their abilities is put in place, but not only did I step out to spend a day with them with a spring in my step, I returned home delighted to have made their acquaintances.

And I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of other EVs out there about which I have thought such things; and probably not had to trouble my thumb.

On paper, the Renault 5 and new Fiat Grande Panda do not look promising: power-to-weight ratios determinedly deep down in two-figure territory, as are their top speeds. One can’t even get out of double digits the other way, the Panda needing 11 seconds just to reach 62mph.