AS ELECTRIC car technology continues to improve a good example of just how far these cars have come is the latest Vauxhall Corsa E.

With a real world fully charged range of a shade under 250 miles and performance figures rivalling or bettering combustion engine versions (0 to 60 in 8 seconds and a top speed of 93mph) everything now revolves around ease and speed of charging.

So I spent a week with the Corsa E – which I have to say has grown to the size of previous Astra models – to see just how easy it is to live with.

Firstly those claimed charging figures – 0 to 80 per cent on the high power rapid charge boxes, such as you find at public charge points or can have installed at home, in just 30 minutes and up to 100 per cent full on the slow charge home three pin plug set up in 7.5 hours.

I tried out both and the rapid charge system is impressive as I managed to add around 40 miles range at a motorway services in just 10 minutes at a cost of just under £5 (although the coffee cost almost as much).

At home it was less so as an overnight slow charge added around 100 miles, although plugging in every night keeps things nicely topped up.

With that 250 mile range a round trip to a driving event near Leeds was no problem (although the venue did not have any chargers) so no range anxiety and the Corsa drove just like its petrol powered siblings, although a bit quicker and a lot quieter.

Our test car was in the highest trim Ultimate Spec with extended range and so is priced at £38,585 (Corsa E starts from £32.445 in design trim while petrol models are from £19,625) but for that you get a load of standard kit. This includes heated front seats (drivers with massage function) and steering wheel, power fold door mirrors, smart 17” alloy wheels, sports body pack, a 10-inch central infotainment touchscreen with sat-nav, wireless phone charging, auto lights and wipers and adaptive cruise control.

The Ultimate also has Vauxhall’s comprehensive suite of safety and driver aids as part of its PureSense system which includes things like hill start assist, a 180 degree rear camera and emergency braking with pedestrian detection.

As I said at the start of this article in feels as if the electric car has now come of age with vehicles like the latest Corsa and, if the charging infrastructure can keep pace and prices continue to come down, the plug in future looks bright.

For more information go to www.vauxhall.co.uk

By Motoring Editor Steve Howarth