2011 Mitsubishi i-MiEV Electric Car Review
The Mitsubishi i-MiEV is an all-electric version of the i four-seater, with the combustion engine and fuel tank replaced by a 63bhp electric motor and a large battery pack. MIEV motors are constructed using a motor in the wheels of the rotor, a stator of the engine on wheels, a base of rotor, stator support and drive directly behind the brakes. The batteries can be charged from 15 A/200 V standard car charger, in seven hours and a three-phase electric power charged in 25 minutes.
Mitsubishi's plug-in electric car, the cool little i-MiEV, is planned to be in dealers' showrooms by the fall of 2011, with a target price of under $30,000 before possible government incentives. We got a short sneak-preview test drive in Seattle, in the Japanese-spec production model that's been on sale since 2009.
Rear-seat legroom is acceptable but not spacious.
TheMitsubishi i-MiEV is powered by a 330-volt, 16kWh Lithium-ion battery, and a 47kw magnet electric motor. Its range is 80 to 100 miles, and it can be charged from a 110v outlet (12-14 hours for a full charge); 220v outlet (6-8 hrs), or 3-phase quick-charge station, which delivers an 80 percent charge in 20 minutes. The overall length of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV is 134 inches, which puts it right between a two-seat Smart Car (106 inches) and the old VW beetle (160 inches). Its curb weight is 2376 pounds (light by modern standards, heavy by historic standards). Overall, it was fun to maneuver and easy to drive.
I'd first clapped eyes on the little EV, parked at the front door of UTV Headquarters in Havelock House as I arrived for the media launch of this year's Donnelly Group Circuit of Ireland Rally in Association with UTV Drive. Public charging points are now available at the three Mitsubishi franchises.
Once inside the car, I found that everything is surprisingly normal. The Mitsubishi i-MiEV has a regenerative braking function which recharges the battery under braking and in conditions where you would normally have engine braking the battery dial goes into a blue "charge" zone - under moderate acceleration the needle moves into the "eco" zone and hard acceleration shows that you are driving inefficiently.
Around town, the car is responsive, whilst in cruising conditions, it is also surprisingly brisk, easily getting to the speed limit and staying within the eco zone.
The eerie but cool silence is the most obvious difference between the Mitsubishi i-MiEV and any regular car. With the potential 90 mile range from a charge that costs less than £2, free road tax, free parking in many cities and exemption from the London congestion charge it is easy to see how this car would make sense to a lot of people. If you live within a reasonable commute from work, this car should recoup the £23,000 net cost (after government subsidy).
