“We're taking a different approach on it to some, so whereas in the past you'd have chosen between petrol and diesel, now you'll choose between petrol and electric," explained Daniel Gregorious, MG’s UK head of sales and marketing, earlier this year. So it'll be in the higher couple of trim levels in the ZS range [Excite and Exclusive]. With ZS EV, we've got a car that's really practical. It doesn't lose any space in the interior or in the boot, because of where the batteries are installed. It fits five, with room for luggage."

MG believes it is well placed to avoid the supply problems that have held up deliveries of the Kona Electric and e-Niro, with customers of those waiting until the end of 2019 at the earliest for the next allocation of cars. "We have good supply, too," said Gregorious. "We have a real advantage there with our parent company [SAIC]. MG and Roewe sold 140,000 EVs in China alone last year, so the manufacturing infrastructure is really there. We get the benefit of that capacity."

MG is already gearing up for electric vehicle sales, Gregorious confirmed. "We've been talking to our dealerships already and spent much of the past five months working with them not only on the sales side of EVs but also the aftersales – servicing. From the network side, they've been investing in MG-branded charging points at dealerships."

The company has confirmed that each of its 92 UK dealerships will eventually be fitted with at least two charging points; a 7kW wallbox in its workshops with a faster 22kW charger outside. Those driving electric cars made by other brands will also be welcome to use the chargers, in order to "support the wider uptake of these environmentally friendly vehicles," said MG's network development manager, Mark Hallam.

Also on the way from MG is a replacement for the larger GS SUV, which will be offered in plug-in hybrid (PHEV) form from 2020. In addition, a production version of the sporty 'e-motion' concept car seen at the 2017 Shanghai Motor Show could join the range in the UK from 2021.