Mitusbishi i-MiEV is the first full-fledged electric car to go on sale in UK, if you don’t count the horrifying G-Wizz as a car which obviously you wouldn’t! But while a G-Wizz would cost about £8,000 or so, the i-MiEV has a projected price of over £38,699. Now though, apparently, Mitsubishi realized most people’s commitment to the environment is not strong enough to spend that kind of money on this kind of car!
So already they announced a price cut.
Based on the new pricing policy, Mitsubishi i-MiEV starts from £28,990 for orders placed for delivery from January 1st 2011. The car also qualifies for UK Government’s recently confirmed consumer incentive of £5,000, depending on the buyer’s credit. So effectively you can get an i-MiEV for £23,990, which is 15 grand less than before, but still not cheap. You can buy V8 saloons with that money!
“The i-MiEV will remain first in all respects. We have been first in almost every aspect of the UK’s EV market for the last 2 to 3 years and we’re not going to give up that position easily. The electric vehicle is now a reality, with all our cars being European Whole Type Vehicle Approved. With a Mitsubishi Motors electric vehicle, customers need not compromise in any area.
What is more, our car is perfect for urban driving. It has been designed deliberately as a small, compact, true city car with the ability to nip in and out of traffic and park in the tightest of spaces.”
Mitsubishi i-MiEV UK Specs:
Price and Incentives
In addition to this price reduction, the ultra-low running costs of the i-MiEV are a key advantage over other cars, with additional incentives including:
- Only £144 fuel costs for 12,000 miles driving (£0.96 pence for a full charge – 16kW at an average of 6p per kW)
- Low servicing costs and downtime – only approximately 4 working parts compared to over 300 in a typical internal combustion engine
- Exempt from road tax
- First year capital allowances for fleet vehicles
- Zero benefit-in-kind company car tax
- Exempt from London Congestion Charge
- Free parking in some London boroughs and cities such as Milton Keynes
- Expected high residual values due to high demand outstripping supply for several years to come
UKSpecification
The days of the ‘milk float’ mentality are truly over as the following specification proves.
Vital Statistics:
- Zero CO2 tailpipe emissions
- Top speed 81 mph
- Range 90 miles (EU combined mode)
- Seating capacity – 4 adults, plus luggage
- Kerb weight – 1,110 KG
- Dimensions – 3,475 mm (l) x 1,475 mm (w) x 1,610 mm (h)
- 5-year 62,500 mile warranty for main battery and EV components, 8 year anti-corrosion perforation warranty and 3-year pan-European roadside, home and accident assistance
- The i-MiEV comes complete with 12-month / 12,500 mile service intervals, and for just £300 including VAT the customer gains 3-years / 37,500 servicing under the Mitsubishi Service Plan (MSP).
Mechanical:
- 49kW AC permanent magnet synchronous motor (max power)
- 1-speed fixed gear
- Front MacPherson strut and coil spring suspension
- Rear 3-link de Dion suspension
- Front stabiliser bars
- Front 14″ ventilated disc brakes, rear 8″ drum brakes
- 9″ master vac brake boosters
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
- Brake assist
- Active Stability Control (ASC)
Exterior:
- Alloy wheels
- All-round ‘green’ glass
- Front fog lamps with daytime running lamps
- Colour-keyed front bumper
- Projector type halogen headlamps with levelling device
- Variable intermittent windshield wiper and washers
- Foldable and electronically controlled door mirrors
- Rear combi LED lamps with clear glass
- Colour-keyed rear bumper with rear fog lamp
- Roof Spoiler with high-mount stop lamp
- Tailgate intermittent wiper and washer
Interior:
- All-round electric windows
- Central door locking with keyless entry
- Driver’s and front passenger’s SRS front airbags
- Heated driver’s seat and wing mirrors
- Side and curtain air bags
- Stereo AM / FM radio with CD player with front 2 main speakers and 2 tweeters
- 3-spoke leather wrapped steering wheel
- Leather wrapped shift knob
- Headlamp levelling device
- Odometer and twin trip and remaining driving range meter
- EV system check warning indicator
- Activation complete buzzer and indicator
- Battery remaining indicator
- Dusk sensor
- Glove box with card holder
- Instrument panel secret box (above glove box)
- Front cup holders (floor console, front of the passenger)
- Manual air conditioner with deodorant filter
- Front passenger air bag cut off switch
- Active Stability Control (ASC) on / off switch
EV Functions:
- Brakeforce regeneration
- Lightweight electronic power steering
- On-board recharging system with cable (flat-to-full in 9-hours, 240V 13 A input)
- On-board rapid charging system (flat-to-80% in 30 minutes)
