TESTDRIVING VOLKSWAGEN’S ELECTRIC GOLF. “At 3358 pounds, the battery Golf weighs 452 pounds more than its diesel equivalent with a twin-clutch transmission. The motor punches out a healthy 114 hp and 199 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels. That’s enough to give it a top speed of 113mph, with 0 to 62 mph in 11.8 seconds. The bad news is the range is just 87 miles in the NEDC Combined driving cycle. After that you are in for an eight-hour wait if you recharge on a domestic US supply. If they ever arrive on the sidewalks, three-phase 50 kW fast-charge monsters will provide an 85 per cent top up in half an hour, but regular use of such rechargers will reduce the battery’s life.”