Mitsubishi’s I-MiEV may be an odd-looking, impractical small, and insanely expensive car, it’s also a dead pioneer.
It is, after all, an all-electric car that went on sale in Australia in 2010 and as such beats everyone. Our market isn’t long, which should surprise no one, but the road it helps carve is becoming a superhighway.
Fit Mitsubishi has just revealed what is the spiritual i-MiEV successor, which means a tiny electric Kei-Car aimed at Japan called Mitsubishi eK X EV. There is also a Nissan version, as detailed here.
Unfortunately, it won’t make it to Australia’s shores this time, in case any small number of i-MiEV lovers out there are wondering.
A spokesperson for Mitsubishi Australia said: “There are no current plans to bring it to Australia, but we continue to look at what is being offered through the Alliance as it moves towards 35 electric vehicle models by 2030. “.
“For now, our focus is on distributing the all-new Outlander PHEV in Q3 to the local market.”
The pretty little eK X measures 3395mm long like the i-MiEV did and 1475mm wide. For the context a Mazda 2 measures 4065mm long x 1695mm wide.
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Mitsubishi i-MiEV
It also costs two thirds of what Nissan Leaf in Japan, for 2,398,000 yen (about A26,000).
Despite having a refrigerant-cooled 20kWh EV battery, the Mitsubishi weighs just 1080kg, offers an urban driving range of 180km between charges, and even allows two-way trucks – which is highly desirable in Japan. The version is prone to earthquakes.
Its drive motor produces 47kW of power and 195Nm of peak torque, double the petrol version, and its regenerative braking function allows for single-pedal driving.
It also has front, side and curtain airbags, along with active parking assist software and various active safety options. It is also integrated with a phone app that allows you to remotely operate AC power and monitor charging.
These tiny Kei cars are cheaper to insure and register than a regular car. This is a Japanese-only vehicle and was introduced after World War II to encourage manufacturers to build affordable new cars. They are imported parallel to Australia by a number of private companies.
Do you think there is a small scope in Australia, Affordable EV, and in this case the reborn i-MiEV? Will it work the second time around? Let us know below.
