Overview:
This is the 2017 Mitsubishi i-MiEV ES. Well – I have to tell you I’m not a fan of electric only vehicles. BUT – we cannot forget everything has a use. OK, so Politicians may be the exception.
Anyway, my point is that you must consider the what the right ‘tool’ is for the job you have. Let me be perfectly clear (sorry, I’m beginning to talk like a politician), you may be perfectly happy with this new technology vehicle.
Me – I live 50 miles from my office. (no wise cracks). The range on this EV is 60 miles… and takes 8-12 hours to recharge to a full charge. I like my job but I don’t intend on working 12 hours while my car gets recharged to get me home. Result of this is that I had to drive my internal combustion engine vehicle to get to work. Then if I have side trips to make during the work day I’m able to use my all electric vehicle as long as I’m not traveling more than 20 miles one way.
The real problem (for me) is the anxiety I feel when I venture out. Even if there were recharge stations for a fast charge it will always be at least an hour or more to get me back on the road. I don’t know about you but I don’t want to spend all my time planning how I get from charge to charge.
Let me be even more clear – it isn’t Mitsubishi’s error in providing cars to the public, it is the politically correct pressure for car companies to manufacture such modes of transportation. After all, you say, Tesla makes versions that cost $150,000 so it must be a good technology. Our company has a Tesla and the problems are only multiplied by the cost of the Tesla that is 7 times more than this Mitsubishi.
Well a little more clarification is that more than 100 years ago electric vehicles had a range of 100 miles. Granted they only traveled 20 mph but we have made precious little improvement. What does that say about the technology? Just say’n.
General Information: It is assembled in Kurishiki, Japan Parts – US/Canadian 0%, Japan 100%; Engine and transmission – Japan; Classification is SubCompact Cars. Cars from Mitsubishi: iMiEV, Lancer, Lancer Evolution, Mirage, Mirage G4, Outlander and Outlander Sport.
Handling & Performance:
Electric power is immediate power and it performs well around town or very short trips on the highway. Literature indicates that the annual cost of operation is $600 for this EV. That is somewhat less than the annual cost of a compact gas powered car.
Styling:
Unique styling. Remember the first VW Beetles in the 1960s? Beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder.
Fit and Finish:
Good.
Cost:
Considering the size and constant need to recharge the cost is not very competitive with other options.
Conveniences and comfort:
This EV car does have several convenience features. However most, if not all, take energy and thus you must consider if the feature is important enough to shorten the range you can travel. So on a hot day I may be pressured to open the windows and not turn on the Air Conditioning. Lights, Radio etc. That fact defeats the usefulness of the ‘tool’ I’ve decided to buy / support.
Consumer Recommendations:
The real consideration is what you intend to use the vehicle for. You must also consider that you will be using electricity and there IS a cost comparable to a conventional gas powered car. You must also consider the continuous need to recharge once or more times per day, and you will never go long without thinking about where and how you will get your next ‘fix’ if I can use the analogy akin to having a drug addiction.
Among battery / electric cars on sale in the U.S., only three vehicles have sold more than 10,000 copies since 2010: Nissan Leaf, Tesla Model S, and BMW i3.
Recognized Competition:
Mitsubishi i-MiEV $24,000, Chevrolet Spark $26,000, Nissan LEAF $30,000. Tesla S $67,000
Others without sufficient data available: 2017 Chevy Bolt, Honda FCV, Hyundai ionig, BMW i3.
Good News:
All electric – no gas required
Bad News:
All electric – no gas possible. . . except indigestion.
Gas Stats:
$2.59 Gal avg. October 16, 2016
for more information.
121 City and 102 Highway – Average is 30 KW hours per 100 miles.
Pricing:
MSRP $22,995.
