The on-the-road price for the Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric car has been released and you're going to need rather deep pockets to drive around the city streets in this green machine. Mitsubishi says that the price will be £38,699; despite this, we can take some comfort in that customers will receive a £5,000 grant off the purchase price off all electric and hybrid vehicles thanks to the recently announced government Consumer Incentive Scheme,
Mitsubishi claims that it is the low running costs that gives the i-MiEV an advantage over its competitors; with 12,000 miles of driving stated to cost £115 and every full charge costing only £0.96. The small electric i-MiEV will also benefit from exemption from road tax and congestion charges.
Lance Bradley, Mitsubishi Motors UK's Managing Director, said: "These are exciting times for the motor industry in the UK… we are aware that, by their very nature, any new technologies always command a premium... others make price claims and estimations, but we have a real vehicle that is available now and is proven in the real world."
The range of the i-MiEV will be an estimated 80 miles and it will have a top speed of 81mph. Furthermore, Mitsubishi states that the i-MiEV has achieved a four-star Euro NCAP crash test rating.
Customers wanting to add a slice of personalisation to their electric vehicle will be catered for. Options range from bio-degradable bamboo fibre floor mats, to a collection of exterior designs, including Union Jack Flags.
The i-MiEV will be available from January 1st 2011.
Read our First Drive of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV.
Lee Pickering - 24 Mar 2010