Logging 126 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalency) for city driving and 99 MPGe on the highway, the Mitsubishi i gets the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) top ranking for a battery-powered electric vehicle.
As a comparison the Nissan Leaf?received?a 106/92 MPGe rating, and the Chevrolet Volt a 95/90 MPGe rating.
In a series of real-world tests, which included all the conditions and techniques that tend to drain an electric vehicle battery quickly — aggressive driving and operating the air conditioning in higher ambient temperatures, the Mitsubishi scored a driving range of 62 miles.
The EPA also rated the vehicle’s LA4 driving cycle range at 98 miles. The EPA LA4 driving cycle test covers a distance of approximately 7.5 miles and includes numerous brief stops along the route to mimic in-town driving and its accompanying start/stops for traffic signals. Mitsubishi has worked to improve the driving range of the 2012 Mitsubishi i: The 98-mile range is attributed to software upgrades and a revamped regenerative braking system.
“We feel that with the combination of capability, affordability, and high level of efficiency offered by the 2012 Mitsubishi i will prove very appealing to consumers considering EV transportation,” said Yoichi Yokozawa, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors North America.
The Mitsubishi i takes about 22.5 hours to fully charge from a standard household outlet.? They do recommend the installation of the optional 240-volt system which charges in six hours or using a public quck-charge port that will ?fill it up? in as little as 30 minutes.
The base ES model Mitsubishi i has a retail price of $27,990, before the $7,500 federal tax credit.? In addition, several states offer other financial incentives, which can make it the most affordable mass-produced electric vehicle sold in the U.S.
Standard equipment includes energy-efficient electric air conditioning with micron filter, speed-sensitive Electric Power Steering (EPS), driver seat heater and LED rear combination tail lamps.
The electric Mitsubishi also includes all the normal vehicle safety features including six air bags, stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes with brake force distribution and tire pressure monitoring.? It also has a high-voltage cut off system and an Approaching Vehicle Audible System to warn pedestrians of the ultra-silent vehicle. .
For more information about the electric-powered Mitsubishi go to?i.MitsubishiCars.com.
