I’m not much of a petrolhead, but I do like the idea (and the economy) of an all-electric car. Mitsubishi’s just made the all-electric iMiev available for purchase and test drive. Anyone got a spare $53,000 or so they could spare me?
Electric cars clearly aren’t for everyone (although some of them do look damn fine). Those who want long distance travel, or demand the roar of a petrol engine, for example.
I’m not one of those folks, so I’m quite happy to read that Mitsubishi’s introduced its iMiev electric car. TechAU notes that it’s available to buy, but if you want to test drive one first, you’ll need to be within walking distance of the following dealerships, which have them available for test drive:
ACT – Commonwealth Motors – Phillip – (02) 6282-3522
NSW – Northshore Mitsubishi – St Leonard’s – (02) 8198-1818
NSW – Sutton’s Mitsubishi – Arncliffe – (02) 9335-9000
NT – Darwin Mitsubishi – Darwin – (08) 8946-4444
QLD – Eager’s Mitsubishi – Newstead – (07) 3109-6600
SA – Australian Motors – Wayville – (08) 8179-3666
TAS – DJ Mitsubishi – Hobart – (03) 6213-3300
VIC – Chadstone Mitsubishi – Oakleigh – (03) 9569-0811
WA – Paceway Mitsubishi – Osborne Park – (08) 9492-9492
I’m seriously tempted — the vast majority of trips that I do are under 25km, so the charging time is largely a non-issue, and I’d be happy to rent a larger vehicle for long road trips. The $53,000 on road cost is still something of an issue, however; hopefully the adoption of electric vehicles will see the prices tumble quickly. [Mitsubishi via TechAu]
Dean
Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 11:18 AMThe $53,000 on road cost is a serious issue. Given a lifespan of 8 years say, it will cost you $18.15 per day just to have it sitting in your garage! Unless you are doing more than around 25,000km a year (or three 25km trips each and every day), it would be more expensive to run than a regular car.
Alex
Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 11:19 AM53k for that ???? u kidding me
thats a 20k size car no matter what you put inside of it… with ~20k difference (from simular size vehicles) u not gone save anything including environment
Harvz
Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 11:56 AMit is much better for the environment to stay with your old car than buying a new. no mater how much petrol it uses. the resources it takes to make a new car and get it to you is huge!
Aliasalpha
Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 8:39 PMYeah but if you need a new car anyway…
light487
Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 11:58 AMMy Suzuki Alto does just fine in “saving the world” with its low emission 1.0L engine and was sub $14k (with automatic transmission option).
Hopefully these electric cars go the way of Plasma and LCD tvs, whereby they start off at ridiculously high prices and after 5 to 10 years become affordable for the average person.
Hammo
Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 12:18 PMOne of these has been on long term test with a family in Sydney, read about it here: http://www.smarthomefamily.com.au/
E.g.: http://www.smarthomefamily.com.au/range-anxiety-part-iii
attila
Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 12:36 PM$53K is nuts for that.
Out of curiosity though, does anyone know roughly what a full charge would cost in electricity?
jeremy
Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 1:48 PMMaybe $2.50-$3 on-peak to charge (off peak tarrif is most likely not available where you live for this purpose) for each 100km range. The best gas car (allegedly the Ford Fiesta Econetic) would use 3.6l of gas for this range, say 5-6 bucks worth of fuel, so “fuel” is half the price (about the same as LPG). The ford is 25k, so 30k diference. As a consumer you can’t break even there (well 1million km) at those assumptions. In fact you can not break even unless the car is only slightly more expensive (say 28-30k). Note that for say deliveries and other commerical use like taxis in traffic plagued areas it might well make sence, because start-stop traffic, ease of parking and commercial off-peak power for charging is where this idea shines, though LPG is good there too.
Pauly
Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 2:21 PMWait for the Nissan LEAF and Holden Volt. They are both much more complete and praticle cars.
The LEAF should be cheaper than the Mitsubishi and the Volt will give you less range anxiety.
David
Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 2:41 PMStupid price.
If I wanted economical, I’d rather buy a TDI/FSI VW Polo (even 2nd hand if it still had some warranty). Even with cost of parts/servicing, I am willing to bet it will be cheaper to own than the Mitsubishi.
202halffound
Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 12:51 PMWhat’s with the name?
I don’t see why everyone needs to put an i before it like Apple.