In the modern age much attention has been placed on electric cars - this is largely down to the fact that they produce zero emissions. As a result of this focus many car owners have made the decision to sell their old petrol and diesel powered cars and have switched to a much greener electric option.
With government grants in place for those who decide to purchase an electric car, the decision to switch has been made somewhat more logical for many car owners. Although most car manufacturers across the world have begun to produce and launch electric models, there are two in particular that stand out from the crowd - the iOn, produced by Peugeot, and the Nissan manufactured, Leaf.
Both share a number of similarities; for example the Leaf and iOn are both five-door hatchbacks. They also share a similar top speed.
Firstly though, what makes the Peugeot iOn such a great five-door electric hatchback?
The iOn was first made available to people in the United Kingdom in January of 2011. It boasts an incredibly stylish exterior and a roomy interior - providing both passengers and drivers with a relatively comfortable experience.
A lithium-ion battery pack provides the iOn with enough power to travel a range of 80 miles before it needs to be recharged. Whilst this means that the iOn probably isn't a great option for those who regularly commute huge, cross-country distances, the range is sufficient enough for those taking considerably shorter trips round a town or city.
The driving experience offered by the Peugeot iOn can simply be described as very fun. The accurate steering and powerful braking capabilities make the iOn an absolute joy to drive - it never becomes a chore.
As a five-door hatchback, the iOn is absolutely perfect for small families; the previously mentioned spaciousness will ensure that the car never becomes claustrophobic during those lengthy family trips.
An alternative of sorts to the Peugeot model - despite their similarities - the Nissan Leaf is another fantastic five-door electric hatchback. Like the Peugeot model, the Leaf also launched early in 2011 and both have been incredibly well received by motorists and motoring magazines in the time since.
The Nissan Leaf is limited to a top speed of 90 mph, meaning that valuable battery power isn't wasted on driving at unnecessarily high speeds. Although there are many similarities between the two, the Nissan Leaf is capable of travelling over a slightly greater range than the Peugeot offering - 100 miles. This factor makes the Leaf a potentially more viable option for those who travel significant distances on a daily basis.
It drives reasonably well too. Many people hold the assumption that electric cars don't drive as well as their diesel and petrol-powered counterparts; however, the Nissan Leaf puts this assumption to bed and is regarded by many as an electric car that is very capable of providing a great driving experience.
Although there are many great electric cars available on the market at this point in time - such as the Chevrolet Volt - none of them have proven to be quite as popular as the Nissan Leaf and the Peugeot iOn.
Electric hatchbacks offer a huge amount of space, as well as a great drive. This article examines just two of the best electric hatchbacks - the Peugeot iOn and the Nissan Leaf.