You know why the French are so keen on building zero-emission automobiles? So they can keep smoking hand-rolled, filterless cigarettes.

Meet the new Citroën C-Zero, coming out at the end of 2010. It isn't just emissions-free, it's noise-free. Rather than running on gas, it gets its power from lithium-ion batteries, meaning its engine is silent. And with the abstract, curvacious design, you'll have no problem finding it in the parking lot.

The C-Zero has a top speed of 80 mph -- a figure you regularly exceeded in school zones when you first got your license -- and will travel up to 80 miles before it needs charging. This four-seater is based on a design by Mitsubishi and will be introduced in England and France. Its retail price is not yet available.

[via Autoblog]