First shipment of Mitsubishi i-MiEV Electric Vehicles Arrives in Australia

Aug. 10, 2010 - PRLog -- The first ever volume shipment of electric vehicles for release in the Australian market arrived in Melbourne today. Twenty Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric vehicles rolled off an international container vessel in a convoy led by the Premier of Victoria, the Honourable John Brumby, the Victorian Minister for Roads, Ports and Major Projects, the Honourable Tim Pallas and Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) CEO and President Masahiko Takahashi.

It is the first time a number of commercially viable, fully electric powered vehicle produced by a major car manufacturer will take to Australia’s roads for full-time duty on government and corporate fleets.  

Released in Japan during 2009, the i-MiEV, which stands for Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle, is one of the world’s first truly viable zero drive-time emission city commuter car in produced by a volume manufacturer - and the first to be released in Australia.  The i-MiEV’s electric motor is smaller, produces more torque at low revolutions and is quieter than a similarly-powered turbocharged gasoline engine. The i-MiEV produces zero drive time CO2 emissions when powered by green energy.

MMAL CEO and President Masahiko Takahashi said the interest shown by Australian consumers indicated they were ready for a fully electric-powered vehicle, with orders for the i-MiEV far outstripping supply.

"With a range up to 160 kilometers and a top speed of 130 kilometers per hour, the i-MiEV has plenty of get up and go to suit the requirements of most private or fleet drivers.

"More than 80 per cent of urban Australian commuters travel less than 100 kilometers per day, so the  i-MiEV the perfect vehicle for most of our daily driving requirements," Mr. Takahashi said.

Present at the arrival event at Melbourne’s East Webb Dock were members of MMAL’s i-MiEV Foundation Customer Group comprising more than thirty major public and private organisations. Attendees were invited to inspect the i-MiEV and put it through its paces on the day.

"Australia’s governments, corporations and commuters have a keen interest in electric vehicle technology, and the i-MiEV, when used with green energy, is a great way for environmentally aware organisations to reduce their carbon footprint," Mr. Takahashi said.

In a response to the growing awareness of electric vehicles, and in the face of high worldwide demand coupled with limited production facilities, Mr Takahashi also announced approval by Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited’s parent company Mitsubishi Motors Corporation of Japan, of an additional 70 vehicles arriving before the end of the year.
This will take the total of i-MiEV vehicles on the road in Australia to 110 by December 2010.


i-MiEV FOUNDATION MEMBERS

Federal Government
   
       Department of Climate Change
       Department of Environment
       Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government


State Governments
   New South Wales Government
         Queensland Government
         South Australian Government
         Victorian Government

Local Councils
   
         City of Adelaide
         City of Brisbane
         City of Gold Coast
         City of Marion
         City of Sydney

Automotive Associations
   
         NRMA
         RAA SA

Organisations
         
   Better Place
   Carsales.com
       ChargePoint
       Energex
       Energy Australia
        Ergon Energy
        ESCO Energy Solutions
         ETSA Utilities
        GE Custom Fleet
         Hume Building Society
         Leaseplan
         Mitsubishi Australia Limited
         Ozgene
         Rock Development Group
          Roche Products
          St George Bank
          Western Power

For further information, contact:
Lenore Fletcher, Head of Corporate Communications
Telephone: (08) 8275 2348
E-mail: lfletcher@mmal.com.au
www.mitsubishi-motors.com.au

Caitlin Beale, Manager of Corporate Communications
Telephone: (08) 8275 7250
E-mail: cbeale@mmal.com.au  


--ABOUT MITSUBISHI--
Mitsubishi Motors Australia is part of the global Mitsubishi Motors organisation and is fully owned by Mitsubishi, one of the world's largest companies.  

The company's history dates back to 1870, when Mitsubishi's Japanese founder, Yataro Iwasaki, started a shipping company with three steamships. The company grew from strength to strength and, in 1914, registered the Mitsubishi three-diamond trademark. This symbol embodies more than 130 years of tradition, and has earned the confidence and trust of customers all over the world.  

Mitsubishi takes great pride from knowing that more than 11 million people from around the world have chosen to drive a Mitsubishi vehicle. There are Mitsubishi dealers in more than 200 sites across Australia. These professional and knowledgeable dealers help owners ensure their Mitsubishi car is always looked after by fully-trained Mitsubishi technicians, using genuine Mitsubishi parts that meet stringent global standards.

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Mitsubishi works hard to develop new cars and technology, as well as ground-breaking safety systems that challenge convention.

If you would like to know more about new Mitsubishi cars, environmental cars, electric cars and the i-Miev take a look at the Mitsubishi website.