WE all want an easy life, right?

We all want to earn a crust, go home and put our feet up in front of the box.

Sometimes go for a pint.

Sometimes go to the gym.

Sometimes have a bedroom workout.

Control A. Control C. Control V.

That’s a good week.

At the same time, we know we need to do more to protect the planet.

The random weather is a constant reminder of that.

So how about an electric car?

Living with an electric car is NOT easy. Far from it. It takes discipline, planning and a LOT of patience.

I’ve yet to meet anyone who is genuinely happy to sit and wait almost an hour for an electric car to recharge.

There’s only so much pastry a man can eat.

The solution?

Get a Toyota hybrid. Even better, get a Toyota Corolla hybrid.

Not only is it here to help save the planet by running on electricity as much as possible, it is here to make life easy.

To be your friend.

The beauty of Toyota’s hybrid system is that it recharges itself on the go, so there’s no faffing about with a plug.

Our “EV driving ratio” was as high as 85 per cent on one test run. Which felt good.

Like we were actually making a difference. We averaged 51mpg.

An invisible shield of cameras and sensors

Also, the new 1.8-litre petrol/electric combo has more beans than the old version — it’s almost two seconds quicker to 60mph — and feels more synchronised to driver inputs.

It’s quieter too.

This seems like a good place to remind you that Corolla is British born and bred.

The engine is built in Deeside. The car is built in Derby.

Hence our little road trip.

You can have a Corolla hatch, estate or van.

Other things that please.

It looks tidy, especially in this GR Sport trim.

Visibility is excellent.

Those tiny quarter-lights behind the windscreen pillars allow you to see beyond the wing mirrors.

It’s super-comfy. Chunky footrest. Soft elbow padding. Heated seats.

Big lettering on the twin screens. Wireless Apple CarPlay. Wireless phone charging. All you need.

And it’s super-safe.

There’s an invisible shield of cameras and sensors for adaptive cruise control, reversing, and so on — and the speedo flashes red as soon as you go 1mph over the limit.

As I said, it wants to be your friend.

My only grumble is that it’s a little squished for grown-ups in the back.

Possibly because the battery unit is housed under the rear seats to avoid reducing boot space.

To sum up, then.

Corolla is not pure electric. But it’s kind to the planet, convenient and easy to live with.

Easy choice.