Mitsubishi i-MIEV priced above rivals

The new all-electric Mitsubishi i-MIEV is about to go on sale in the Japanese domestic market for $43,000 – more than its bigger hybrid rivals from Toyota and Honda.

But despite the micro-car's high entry price, Mitsubishi Australia spokesperson, Lenore Fletcher believes it will still be popular when it arrives here, possibly next year. She does not believe its price will be a barrier for acceptance.

Local pricing is not yet confirmed but Fletcher says judging by the reaction of 150 people at recent drive days around the country, the car will be a hit. "If we had 20 i-MIEVs tomorrow they would all be sold," she says. "We've had people trying to give us firm orders for the car."

Participants were surprised by the power and refinement of the little hatch, she says. And she is confident prices will come down as these electric cars become more common and production ramps up to achieve economies of scale. Mitsubishi Australia is bouyed by the fact that many fleets are interested in the car to sell a green message.

The rear-drive i-MIEV develops 47kW, the same as the three-cylinder petrol-powered Mitsubishi "i" but delivers 180Nm from zero revs compared to the petrol car's 94Nm. It also contributes 70 per cent less C02 emissions than a similarly sized hatchback.

The car has been fully certified to Australia Design Rules and has compliance so Mitsubishi Australia is just waiting for the nod from Japan.

It has a range of about 160km from its lithium-ion battery pack. With about 85 per cent of commuters travelling less than 100km a day, Fletcher says the i-MIEV is an ideal city car.

Just 2000 i-MIEVs will be built in Japan this year but the car's popularity has already prompted Mitsubishi to lift production. Next year it will build 5000 cars and by 2013 it hopes to build 30,000 a year.

Mitsubishi, like many leading carmakers pushing the electric button, faces a lack of supply of battery components for their vehicles. The new Toyota Prius goes on sale in July and is expected to cost slightly more than the Honda Insight. Honda Australia is aiming for a sub-$30,000 price for the Insight and had originally hoped to have it on sale here this year. However, the car's popularity overseas has pushed out its local launch to the second half of 2010.

In Japan, the i-MIEV will initially be sold to fleets with private sales starting later this year. Apart from Australia, it will be sold in Europe and North America.

Mitsubishi, along with Nissan Australia, wants more government incentives to get people into electric cars.