The i-MiEV is Mitsubishi’s first attempt at building an electric car, and initially things look promising. Both Peugeot and Citroen have rebadged it as the iOn and the C-Zero. So the question is whether such a car can really work with limited infrastructure and such strong competition from other manufacturers especially the small diesel brigade. How do you get ahead of the pack, especially with a price tag of $48,800?

Let’s find out

Behind the wheel
The i-MiEV feels quiet a modern car, its dash doesn’t look that different to your everyday ‘normal’ car’s set-up, although the fuel gauge shows available electricity reserves rather than physical fuel and the ‘rev counter’ is replaced with a dial showing how you’re using the energy, be it efficiently or not.

Performance
The first thing you notice about driving the i-MiEV is the instant pulling power, with all of the torque available from the moment you push the accelerator – 180Nm available from 0-2,000rpm to be precise. Don’t expect record-breaking velocity though; the motor boasts 49kW and 0-100 kph sprint is covered in 13 seconds but performance tails off significantly once you’ve crossed that threshold, while top speed is 130 kph – if you can find a road long enough. Although it can’t hold its own against conventional cars in performance terms you have to remember this car isn’t about high speeds.

As well as reverse there are three forward modes for the one-speed CVT gearbox; D is normal driving, C reduces regenerative braking for cruising and B increases regenerative braking during downhill driving

Handling
There’s a lot of body roll when cornering, which is a shame as a large part of the car’s bulk is low down in the chassis, meaning the potential for a ‘fun’ set-up is there. Because of its wallowy nature you would expect it to be very forgiving in absorbing bumps and holes in the road, it isn’t and negotiating speed humps is a drama and finds the suspension at its limit. The steering is light, making tight manoeuvres easy.

Comfort
With the absence of an internal combustion engine, the cabin of the iMiEV is an extremely quiet place to be. When moving at speed you get a tiny amount of wind noise around the A-pillar and a miniscule din from the tyres, but next to no noise from the drivetrain. There’s a slightly spaceship whining on deceleration as the regenerative braking system does its thing, but it’s barely noticeable. The front seats are nice and comfortable, with plenty of lateral support and enough padding to keep you happy on long journeys. Visibility in the front is very good thanks to the large windscreen, although the A-pillars do obstruct the drivers view a little when coming out of junctions. The short bonnet and instant rear drop-off also means that parking and negotiating any tight spots can be done with ease.

Practicality

Four adults will fit in the car with a squeeze, largely thanks to its high ceiling and low seats in the back. Charging the car takes seven hours using a standard 15A 240v power supply and the cable supplied with the car. However, you can also use fast-charging points (if you can find one) which are capable of charging the batteries to 80% in 30 minutes. These fast-charge units will eventually be located at places such as shopping centres, supermarkets and public car parks, service stations etc. Officially the range of the i-MiEV is 130 kilometres, although don’t be surprised if that drops dramatically when you start using air conditioning or putting your foot down a little. The boot is also small, which rules out anything bulky, although folding seats help the equation. It’s also worth noting here that this car isn’t suitable for those living in high-rise apartment blocks or houses with no power close to the parking area unless you’re guaranteed access to a charging point at work. If you can’t plug it in, you won’t be able to use it.

Equipment

Equipment levels are high – partly to help attempt to justify the stratospheric list price, with all-round electric windows, central door locking with keyless entry, driver’s and front passenger’s SRS front airbags, side and curtain air bags and air conditioning, sat nav, blue tooth and alloy wheels but no cruise control.

Safety
The i-MiEV has an official four-star A NCAP safety rating. Safety equipment includes active stability control, ABS, up to six airbags, and ISOFIX seat anchorage. A special steel frame is employed to direct forces away from occupants in the event of a crash, while the car’s extremities are designed to crumple inwards at designated points to reduce the energy transferred to passengers if the worst should happen.

Summary
The Mitsubishi i-MiEV is an innovative, fun and well equipped small electric city car. But there’s one thing stopping you going out to buy one today and that’s the price. Its $48,800 plus on roads making it ridiculously unaffordable to all but the large corporates trying to show their green credentials. The figures just don’t stack up. Compare it to a mid-spec small petrol or diesel car and you’re looking at 35 to 40 years, three battery changes and the best part of 400,000 kilometres before it recoups the initial outlay.
And it’s a shame that the cost casts such a long shadow over the car as it’s actually very good. If it wasn’t so expensive, we’d probably rate it as a four-star car. Start-up is silent and peak torque is available almost instantly, which makes it quick off the mark and fast to 50kph, which is ideal for town driving. Power delivery is smooth, too, and it’s jerk-free on the move. Although the range is limited to 130kilometres, those who use it in towns and cities (where it was designed for) shouldn’t have much of a problem. It’s ‘off’ when stationary in traffic, so it doesn’t unnecessarily use power, and as long as it’s not being driven too hard, gets close to the estimated range. A full charge takes around 7.5 hours (so can be done overnight or when you’re at work) from a 15 amp household socket, but takes just 25 minutes from a fast charging point, if you can find one.

What is good and not so good?
What is good?
Cheap to run
Good headroom
Reasonably quick

What’s not so good?
Expensive
Low-grip tyres particularly in the wet
Hates speed humps
Small boot
Seats only four

Vehicle: Mitsubishi i-MiEV $48,800
Drive train: Electric motor, 330V/16kWh lithium-ion battery
Power and Torque: 49kW and 180Nm (available from standstill)
Safety: 4 Stars
CO2 Emissions g/km: nil
Green Vehicle Guide rating: 5 star
Fuel Economy L/100km (ADR comb): 0.0 L/100km
Tow Capacity: NA
Tow Ball Rating: NA
Warranty: 5 year car and battery pack / 10 years engine
Alternative: Nil at this time

AnyAuto Ratings 66/100
Behind the Wheel 6
Practicality 6
Comfort 6
Fit for Purpose 9
Equipment 6
Value for Money 3
Performance 7
Build Quality 7
Ride & Handling 6
Environment 10

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Mitsubishi’s all-electric i-MiEV city car will give visitors to this year’s Sustainable Living Festival – held in Melbourne until February 27 – a look at not just the future for sustainable transport solutions, but the present as well.

As a major sponsor of the festival, Mitsubishi is joining other future focussed companies producing sustainable solutions with the purpose of promoting the theme of Mission: Safe Climate to the thousands of people who will attend events and exhibitions over the 16-day festival.

From its origins in 1998 as a small fair held in the tiny Victorian town of Musk near Daylesford before moving to Melbourne in 2001, the Sustainable Living Festival is now centred on Federation Square with events across the city attracting over 100,000 visitors.

With cars like the i-MiEV leading the way, Mitsubishi is continuing to engage in developing products and practices that provide for a sustainable future.
As the first, and currently only, electric passenger car from a mainstrea

m manufacturer available on the Australian market, the i-MiEV is playing a vital role in Mitsubishi’s vision of a sustainable future for personal transport with the company aiming for electric vehicles to account for at least 20 per cent of its global production by 2020.

This, along with a raft of other environmental initiatives from expanded use of green plant-based plastics to increased recycling, forms part of Mitsubishi’s overall aim to reduce CO2 emissions of its new vehicles by 50 per cent, and emissions from production by 20 per cent, compared to 2005 levels by 2020.

Mitsubishi’s Vice President of Brand and Marketing, Paul Unerkov, said the company is proud to be festival partner and excited to promote sustainable transport solutions to the Australian public.

“Mitsubishi is looking to the future of sustainable transport and our i-MiEV electric vehicles provide people with a practical option that promotes environmental sustainability.”

Luke Taylor, the festival director sees the increasing popularity of the festival, which combines practical solutions, concepts, education and entertainment, as a sign that everyday Australians are keen to grapple with today’s environmental challenges.

“It’s the first time in 10 years that we have noticed such a shift in thinking, people aren’t so fearful of making big changes once they see the clear benefits,” he says.

And judging by the stalls that make up the ever-popular Green Market, there are plenty of changes that can be made with over 100 exhibitors showcasing sustainable products and services from all sectors of industry including building, energy, water, and food.

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The Envirocar revolution continues with the Mitsubishi i-MiEV gaining momentum and now a public Fast Charging Unit. The
Mitsubishi i-MiEV is an all electric Envirocar.

Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) has unveiled the first public EV fast charging unit (FCU) in Australia. The FCU has been installed in front of the company’s Adelaide, South Australia head office and is designed to offer the convenience of a fast charge facility to drivers of MMAL’s ground breaking Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric vehicle.

Masahiko Takahashi, MMAL’s President and CEO unveiled the FCU this morning at a launch attended by South Australian i-MiEV owners, council and government VIPs and MMAL employees and staff.

“Mitsubishi has confirmed our position as the leader in electric vehicle technology. Not only are we the first company to offer volume-produced electric vehicles in the Australian market – now we are the first company to provide a public fast charge facility here as well,” Takahashi said.

The FCU is an Aker Wade unit installed by Club Assist in Australia and is powered by 100 per cent accredited green electricity provided by AGL Energy Limited.

Mitsubishi introduced its i-MiEV (Innovative Electric Vehicle) into the Australian market in August 2010 and the company has now sold more than one hundred vehicles here. The i-MiEV is a fully electric vehicle with zero drive-time emissions and is powered by a lithium-ion battery. Receiving all its torque from stall, the i-MiEV has incredibly responsive acceleration – perfect for city commuting – and boasts a convenient range of around 130 kilometres.

Normally, the i-MiEV is recharged on a standard 15 amp household power point over a seven hour period. However, the fast charge unit can recharge up to 80 per cent of an i-MiEV’s battery in 30 minutes, or provide an extra-quick top-up of around 50 per cent in just 15 minutes.

According to Masahiko Takahashi, MMAL chose to install the fast charge unit at its South Australian headquarters for a number of reasons.

“Mitsubishi is a long-time member of the South Australian business community, and we are extraordinarily proud of our history here, so we are always very ready to support our local market.

“We have several i-MiEV Foundation Customers here in Adelaide, and I am sure the new FCU will be very convenient for them,” Takahashi said.

“In addition, MMAL plans to offer an i-MiEV vehicle for our staff to use as a pool car, and I have no doubt that it will be so popular that it will require topping up on a regular basis.”

i-MiEV vehicle owners are invited to utilise the new Fast Charge Unit, located at the Mitsubishi site in Tonsley Park, free of charge.

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Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announced today that sale of the European-spec i-MiEV new-generation electric vehicle is to commence in 15 European countries*1.

As a reminder, MMC began production of the i-MiEVs for Europe from October of last year. Three months after starting shipment, about 2,500 units*2 were shipped.

Currently, the i-MiEV is attracting high attention in Mitsubishi Motors Europe’s territory. In addition to the first 15 countries the car is to be sold in, there have been requests to introduce the i-MiEV from Finland, Serbia, Turkey, and Slovenia. In response to these requests, MMC plans to ship units to these countries in the near future, making the European countries the i-MiEV will be sold in to 19. Later on, the i-MiEV shall be sequentially introduced further within Mitsubishi Motors Europe’s territory.

*1: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.
*2: This number includes Peugeot iOn and Citroën C-ZERO.

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