Scots dealers 'electrified' 10 | 01 | 2011

TWO SCOTTISH centres — one in Edinburgh and one in Cupar —have been listed in the 13 Mitsubishi dealerships across the UK to become EV Sales Centres. Phoenix Mitsubishi, Edinburgh, and Fife Mitsubishi, Cupar, will join 11 other centres spread across the rest of the UK.

Both Scots centres will become fully functioning Mitsubishi EV Sales Centres from this month as Mitsubishi targets further exposure of its i-MiEV (Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle).

The centres have two fully trained sales personnel in i-MiEV and they will also have a broader understanding of future Mitsubishi pure EV and plug-in hybrid technologies.

The after-sales departments will also comply with compulsory manufacturer training and require specialist tools to enable the service and maintenance of electric vehicles.

The centres have demonstrator vehicles available for potential customers to properly test and experience what it is like to drive and ‘own’ an electric vehicle in real-life conditions. In addition, a fully functioning charging bay will also be available.

The i-MiEV is on sale now priced at £23,990, including the government’s consumer incentive, the Plugged-In Car Grant of £5000.

While the i-Miev may have a range of 93 miles and a top speed of 81mph, what is definitely attractive are the fuel costs reported by Mitsubishi. According to the Japanese manufacturer, it will cost you just £270 for 12,000 miles driving (£2.09 per full charge based on an  average of £0.10 per kWh).

However, that gets even better if you use an Economy 7 tariff; then the cost could be as little as £135 for 12,000 miles driving (£1.05 per full charge based on an average of £0.05 per kWh).

The big problem though remains; until there is a comprehensive network of recahrging points across Scotland and the bulk of the UK, use of electric vehicles will be restricted to city driving.

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Jim McGill