The Renault Zoe is now available to order, with promises of taking the electric car to new levels of desirability and practicality.

Stylish, forward-thinking and well-equipped, the Zoe is the first Renault to be designed from the ground up as an electric car. The Kangoo Z.E. and Fluence Z.E. both originally used internal combustion engines, and the tiny but joyous Twizy isn't technically a car.

The 87bhp electric motor also delivers 162lb.ft of torque for sprightly performance especially around town. The car's range is a theoretical 130 miles, but in the real world drivers should see between 90 and 100.

Among the Zoe's key features are its price, starting from £13,650 on the road after the government's plug-in car grant, its supermini size, which will make it useful for parking and manoeuvring in traffic, and its impressive kit list.

Three trim levels will be available, with the entry-level Expression joined by two higher models with identical prices but different styling and equipment approaches.

The Zoe Dynamique Zen is manufactured with a soft, light colour palette inside and out, and Renault's `Take Care by Renault' package that includes an in-built air freshener, an ioniser, an air toxicity sensor and Teflon-coated seats.

By contrast the Dynamique Intens has a rear parking camera as standard and a `dark interior ambience' for a sultrier and perhaps more traditional cabin. Both Dynamique models have 16-inch alloy wheels.

Standard kit on basic Expression models includes climate control, cruise control, a seven-inch TomTom sat-nav with voice control, a USB input port and LED daytime running lights. There is a full complement of safety equipment as well.

The Zoe features a new `Chameleon' charger that is compatible with a variety of inputs all the way up to 43kW AC fast-charge, which can replenish the car's batteries in half an hour.

To account for careless pedestrians in town the car emits a choice of three sounds at between one and 18mph. The noises can also be turned off altogether. Battery hire is additional to the cost of the car and is available from £70 per month.