On the same day TTAC ran Martin Schwoerer’s review of the C1 ev’ie, comes word that the diminutive EV has been named the official rental car of the UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen. Apparently the auto rental firm Sixt ordered a bunch of the ev’ies, becoming the first car rental company with electric options. And of course, it just happened to make them available in Copenhagen in time for the conference, so delegates would have an alternative to the Climate Express. Sadly, none of the delegates were environmentally aware enough to arrive on electric airplanes.

The Toyota Aygo, which is the (in-all-but-styling) identical twin of the Citroen C1, is a fine little car, and when I tested it in 2007, I found most everything about it likeable. Packaging, finish, styling, handling, pleasure of driving: the Aygo/C1 turned out to be a thoroughly modern and enjoyable car for a bare-bones price. Only the ride struck me as a bit harsh. I certainly didn’t complain about the revvy, pleasant-sounding and parsimonious engine either, so you might be surprised to hear that I like the electrified version of the C1 just as well. Or, with qualifications, even more. What the heck do I mean? Please bear with me, and I’ll tell you.
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