The Mitsubishi i-MiEV has been awarded best city EV at the Start Eco Car Spectacular.
The Mitsubishi i-MiEV has been awarded best city EV at the Start Eco Car Spectacular.
The all-electric supermini was awarded the prize at the weekend by Stirling Moss, in light of its drive quality, minimal running costs and its zero emission policy.
The i-MiEV is set to rival other EVs, like the Nissan Leaf, after its release on the 1 January 2011.
The four-seater has a maximum speed of 81 mph and clears 0-62 in less than nine seconds. With a range of 80 miles on its combined cycle, and an on board charger that benefits from regenerative braking, the i-MiEV is fully suited to city driving.
On account of its complete electric make-up, the EV is almost silent, and incredibly cheap to run, with one newspaper quoting a 12,000 mile journey for just £115. Mitsubishi have estimated the i-MiEV will cost less than 6% of the price to run an equivalently powered petrol car.
There is also no road tax and free parking for the EV, and of course zero CO2 emissions.
The battery of the i-MiEV can be charged from flat in a regular domestic plug, to 100% capacity in six hours, and with a quick charge kit this time is smashed as it is capable of recovering 80% charge in 30 minutes.
Prices for the Mitsubishi have yet to be released, but with the Governments Consumer Incentive Scheme offering 25% off the cost of ultra-low carbon emission cars, and the savings made on running costs, the Mitsubishi i-MiEV is a viable alternative to the petrol city car.