“Unless drivers regularly travel in an urban area or between two closely connected urban areas, they are unlikely to consider an EV as their main vehicle,” commented Roddy Graham of Leasedrive Group.

 “Wider adoption is dependent on improved battery technology which allows extensive distances to be covered without re-charge.

“Of course the re-charging infrastructure needs to be more comprehensive but when everyone is so ‘time poor’ in the 21st century, the last thing drivers have the time to do is spend time looking for a re-charging point, hoping it is free and then waiting for a minimum charge to take place.

“For now, hybrids and range extenders offer the most practical solution until battery technology improves substantially.”

For a review of the latest range extenders, see our BMW i3  and Vauxhall Ampera reviews.

And take a look at how one SME owner was trying to make up his mind – BMW i3 or Tesla S? Make your mind up Jonathan Money.