2012 Mitsubishi i Delivered to First U.S. Retail Customers
Gas-free motoring options are expanding in 2012. Mitsubishi's first all-electric car, the i, is now finding its way to retail customers. The four-door hatchback first went on sale in Hawaii last month, and Mitsubishi is now rolling it out at West Coast dealerships. Customers in California, Oregon and Washington were the first in the continental U.S. to take delivery of the i.
The i (formerly called the i-MiEV) seats four and draws power from a 66-horsepower electric motor and 16-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack. The EPA lists a 62.3-mile driving range, but this number varies based on city and highway driving. Mitsubishi estimates charging time at 22 hours on a 120-volt outlet and seven hours on a Level 2 240-volt charging station.
The 2012 Mitsubishi i starts at $29,125; the $7,500 applicable federal tax credit brings the price to $21,625. But how much does it cost to drive? The EPA lists an annual fuel cost of $550. It uses the national average electricity rate of 12 cents per kilowatt-hour and an annual driving range of 15,000 miles to calculate the i’s operating costs.
Mitsubishi plans a gradual rollout for the i, with nationwide availability by this summer.
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Looks like a Tata Nano. Can't wait to see the crash protection if a Suburban or Infiniti QX runs into this!
It looks like a potentially good option for a city dweller.
@ Mike
What's the reason for seeing 2 vehicles crashing together, with possible loss of lives and properties? Is ur brain getting delusional due to gas fume that u r smelling from a SUV?
@ Jennifer,
Kinda surprised that you didn't list the sales number of the i, especially since it's over 18 days old news already. 80 "i" were sold in Dec, 11. That's really good!
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505245_162-57352438/december-auto-sales-mitsubishi/
Wish we could get the 50 mpg gas version.
This flies in the face of Mitsubishi's own TV commercial that shows these things flooding the drive thru lanes of Normal Illinois (where Mitsu has a plant).They are selling them everyplace BUT Normal Illinois...ha!
To anti-SUV (Amuro Ray)
I work in insurance. I'm always looking at cars and wondering what rates will be assigned to them.
Yes, loss of life does come into mind with a vehicle of such a small size traveling among larger ones. Common sense.
-I rather enjoy the gas fumes from my SUV, I can afford the gas!
I agree - this is old news. There's been people talking about the Mitsubishi i's they've received weeks ago on thie iMiev forum: http://myimiev.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=112