Mitsubishi i-MiEV wins MPG crown
The new Mitsubishi electric vehicle hits the US market this fall.
The Nissan LEAF and the Chevrolet Volt are two of the most fuel-efficient vehicles on sale in the United States. For 2012, both vehicles will be surpassed by the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, an electric vehicle that went on sale in Japan in the summer of 2009. This model will soon be available for sale in North America. When it hits the market, it will offer longer range, better fuel economy and a slightly lower price than the Nissan LEAF, another pure electric vehicle.
The i-MiEV beat the LEAF out on the market by nearly 18 months. Mitsubishi has sold more than 14,000 units, but the LEAF is making up for lost time and has already sold 8,500 models worldwide. Nissan’s French partner Renault is selling its version of the LEAF in Europe, while Peugeot is doing the same for Mitsubishi.
US Retail
By fall 2011, the i-MiEV will be available for sale in the United States, with a retail price of around $32,000, which is $785 less than the LEAF. This base “M” model will have a 75-mile range, but if 110-mile range is desired, the “G” model can be had for around $47,000. Both models are eligible for the $7,500 tax credit from the federal government, effectively bringing these prices down to $24,500 and $39,500 respectively. In some states, such as California, a $5,000 tax rebate is available, bringing the cost for Golden State drivers to $19,500 and $34,500 respectively.
Mitsubishi has managed to lower its price, as battery technology is cheaper, by 50 percent in just two years. The final price for US consumers is likely to change as the exchange rate between the US dollar and the Japanese yen must be taken into account. Mitsubishi plans to sell 25,000 units a year starting in 2012, with 6,000 of those models sold in Japan, according to company sources.
high MPGe
The Mitsubishi i-MiEV is powered by a 63-horsepower electric motor with an EPA-estimated MPGe rating of 112. This number compares to the Nissan LEAF at 99 MPGe and 93MPGe for the Chevy Volt, the latter when operating in electric-only mode. The Tesla Roadster, which is priced at about three times the price of the Mitsubishi, continues to lead the pack, offering 119 MPGe.
Sales of all electric vehicles are growing slowly, but without government support they will most likely remain quite low. The global economy remains weak, gasoline-powered models are more efficient and cheaper, and consumers are slow to understand the importance of new technology. Still, the electrification of vehicles has many benefits, helping the world become less dependent on oil and can contribute to cleaner air.