Renault has taken the wraps of its gorgeous ZOE electric supermini, which will cost just £13,650 in the UK.

Designed from day one to be electric-powered only, the ZOE - short for Zero Emissions - has a theoretical range of over 130 miles and uses clever technology to adapt to the type of driving and reduce power consumption.

An equally nifty new adaptable Chameleon charger allows charging from virtually any car-charging power source in between 30 minutes and nine hours. Battery hire will be an extra charge on top of the price of the car, but the benefit is that if they ever drop below their intended performance levels they are replaced with no charge to the car owner.

The good news continues, because this is the first vehicle to be quick-charge compatible. Quick-chargers are said to be up to four times cheaper for local authorities to install, raising hopes that the number of charging points will surge as a result.

The ZOE will also have the option of a seven-inch touch-screen tablet with integrated navigation and internet-based services.

But more importantly for many people, the ZOE represents the first really great looking fully-electric car that's also affordable. The price premium is very reasonable given the amount of technology involved, and all industry eyes will be on its sales figures.

The ZOE also features special Michelin tyres developed exclusively for electric cars. The compound has been formulated to better handle the torque of the electric motors, while being much quieter than a standard tyre.