Dr Automotive Design and Tools

The Mitsubishi iMiev Electric Car is now officially the biggest selling car in its segment in Norway.

Having sold 99 iMievs in January the Mitsubishi EV outsold the Peugeot 107 (87 cars), Toyota Aygo (60), Citroen C1 (54), Toyota IQ (29), Suzuki Alto (27) and Fiat 500 (25).

The iMiEV is on sale in 14 European countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.

Mitsubishi plans to sell 5,000 i-MiEVs overseas this fiscal year, including models built for PSA.

Peugeot has delivered its first fully electric car in the UK to EDF Energy’s fleet. The Peugeot Ion has a potential range of 93 miles and is eligible for the Government’s £5000 electric vehicle grant.

EDF Energy, which Peugeot claims is the UK’s largest producer of low carbon electricity, will use the car to test recharging solutions.

Eric Salomon, energy field services director at EDF, said: “We are delighted to add the first Peugeot iOn in the UK to our fleet. It fits in perfectly with our ambitions to provide low carbon solutions.”

The four-seat Ion goes on sale in the UK this month. It can be recharged from a standard domestic plug within six hours or via a quick-charger within one hour.
The car is available through a mobility offer consisting of a four year 40,000 mile contract with a monthly payment of £415 excluding VAT.

The offer includes the lease of the vehicle including battery pack, full warranty cover and full servicing and maintenance.
At the end of the four year period the deal can be renewed for a further four years at a reduced cost.

Peugeot estimates running costs of £1.72 per 93 miles.
Taking into account savings on fuel, exemption from the London Congestion Charge and some parking charges, Peugeot claims a potential annual saving of £5400 through running an electric car.

Mitsubishi Motors Corp will use Toshiba Corp's lithium-ion batteries in a small electric vehicle for business use which is set to go on sale in the autumn, the Nikkei business daily said on Friday.

The carmaker, which worked with GS Yuasa Corp to produce lithium-ion batteries for its i-MiEV electric passenger car, chose the Toshiba battery for the new Minicab MiEV, based on lifespan and cost, the paper said.

Neither Mitsubishi Motors nor Toshiba had any immediate comment on the report, though Toshiba had said in July it was developing batteries for the carmaker.

Shares in GS Yuasa were down 4 percent at 580 yen in late trade.

Mitsubishi Motors President Osamu Masuko had indicated the automaker would likely need a second battery supplier to complement its battery venture with GS Yuasa, saying a Japanese manufacturer would be its preferred choice.

Japanese and South Korean battery makers are fighting for share of the nascent market for low and zero-emission vehicles.

Mitsubishi Motors aims to offer the Minicab MiEV for less than 2 million yen ($24,450), initially relying on subsidies from the government. Japan has yet to decide whether or how much in subsidies it might earmark for the purchase of electric cars beyond the fiscal year ending in March.

Mitsubishi Motors became the first major carmaker to begin selling all-electric cars to individuals last year.

The commercial-use EV is set to have a range of 100 km (62 miles) on a full charge, compared with the i-MiEV's 160 km (100 miles), in a bid to keep costs low.

Mitsubishi Motors Corp., maker of the i-MiEV electric car, plans to introduce eight hybrid and battery-powered models by 2015 as demand for fuel-efficient automobiles grows.

The automaker also aims to increase annual global sales to 1.37 million vehicles by fiscal 2013 from 1 million in the current year ending March 31, the Tokyo-based company said today in a statement outlining its mid-term business plan.

Mitsubishi will increase the proportion of its overseas production to 54 percent of total output by fiscal 2013, from about 44 percent currently, it said. Japanese carmakers including Mitsubishi and Toyota Motor Corp. are moving output overseas as a strengthening yen makes it more difficult to export vehicles at a profit.

The carmaker aims to boost net income to 45 billion yen ($548 million) in the year ending March 2014. Operating profit is projected at 90 billion yen on sales of 2.5 trillion yen.

Mitsubishi said it may invest in a local partner in Brazil as it shifts production abroad. The carmaker will increase output in emerging markets as well as the U.S., President Osamu Masuko said today in Tokyo.

As part of the plan to offer more hybrids and electric vehicles, the automaker aims to sell two plug-in hybrid autos by fiscal 2012, it said.

In preparation for the launch of it’s electric vehicles, French manufacturer Peugeot is appointing 22 of its existing dealers, as “specialist” dealers to sell and service its new electric car the iOn.

The dealers who will each have a charging point, an iOn demonstrator car and specially trained staff will be located to correspond with the government’s ‘Plugged-in Places’ designated areas which receive Government support to install charging infrastructure to support electric vehicles.

The chosen dealers will be in the Midlands, the East of England, the North East, Scotland, London, Milton Keynes, Manchester, Leeds, Northern Ireland and South Wales.

Peugeot say that orders placed in January for iOn should be fulfilled by February. The firm has even launched a leasing offer for the new iOn. A four year, 40,000 mile personal lease scheme is £415 per month plus VAT with zero deposit.

Mitsubishi announced that sale of the European-spec i-MiEVelectric vehicle is to commence in 15 European countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

MMC began production of the i-MiEVs for Europe from October of last year. Three months after starting shipment, about 2,500 units—including Peugeot iOn and Citroën C-ZERO units—were shipped.

In addition to the first 15 countries the car is to be sold in, there have been requests to introduce the i-MiEV from Finland, Serbia, Turkey, and Slovenia. In response to these requests, MMC plans to ship units to these countries in the near future, making the European countries the i-MiEV will be sold in to 19. Later on, the i-MiEV shall be sequentially introduced further within Mitsubishi Motors Europe’s territory.

Source: MMC

The new 2012 Mitsubishi I may be the latest and greatest electric vehicle from the Japanese automaker, but the company's electrification efforts don't stop there. New reports suggest virtually every new Mitsubishi model will be developed with either an electric or hybrid spin-off in mind.

"Every new car we develop will also be able to be driven by electricity," (translated) Helmut Bauer, Mitsubishi's German spokesman, told Automobilwoche.

Perhaps the first instance of this will be the company's new crossover. We know such a model, based upon the PX-MiEV concept shown at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show, is already under development. Automobilwoche suggests the model will be based off the existing Outlander, but sport a hybrid drive system similar to that used in the PX-MiEV concept. As a result, look for the system to pair dual electric motors with a small 1.6-liter I-4, the latter functioning primarily as a generator to extend the PHEV's range. Mitsubishi has confirmed the car is already in the first stages of development, and will launch sometime in 2013.

Another possibility lies with performance cars. We reported earlier this year that the company's next-generation Lancer Evolution (the Evo XI, for those keeping score) could possibly adopt a hybrid-electric system similar to that of the PX-MiEV. An electric motor will drive the front wheels, while a turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4 will primarily power the rear axle. Drivers may be able to select a pure EV setting for short, low-speed jaunts, but the entire system could be tuned to give a net output north of the 350 horsepower mark.

Even if a hybrid-electric Evo doesn't pan out, this plan seems like a no-brainer for Mitsubishi. Since the cost of developing new vehicles is tremendously expensive, insuring each new launch is capable of being manufactured with several different powertrain offerings -- electric and hybrid systems included -- may be the best way to leverage limited R&D budgets.

Source: Automobilewoche

The Irish Government signed a deal late last week with carmaker PSA Peugeot Citroën to introduce two electric vehicles onto the market.

The Memorandum of Understanding will see initially see 50 each of Peugeot’s iOn and Citroën’s C-Zero supplied to the Irish market in 2011.

Prices for the vehicles will be announced in January, when the first vehicles arrive in Ireland. Following the initial shipment, vehicles will be supplied depending on demand.

The Government has set an initial target of having 6000 electric passenger vehicles on the road by 2012 in preparation to achieve 10% of all vehicles (around 230,000) by 2020.

The plans are being supported by Ireland’s main utility, Electricity Supply Board (ESB), which is installing 1500 public charging stations, 2000 domestic charging points and 30 fast charge units by 2011.

“Ireland is one of the first countries in the world to build a nationwide electric vehicle charging infrastructure and to put in place other necessary conditions to facilitate the widespread adoption of ecars,” said ESB’s chief executive, Padraig McManus, at the launch late last week.

From 1 January next year, grants of up to €5000 will be available for the purchase of electric and hybrid vehicles.

“We have all the elements in place to be a true world leader in the electrification of private transport,” said Irish Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan. “2011 will be the year electric cars become a common sight on Irish roads.”

This weeks episode of Fullycharged sees Robert Llewellyn say fairwell to his Mitsubishi MiEV test fleet car which has to be returned after a year on loan gathering data.

Its only been a few months since Peugeot announced it will be leasing out its all-electric car, but three firms have already moved to add the Peugeot iOn to their fleets, in order to provide cheap, environmentally friendly transportation in urban areas.

One such company, UK Grid, uses enough electricity to power over 4,000 homes a year but aims to be carbon neutral by the end of 2010. In order to achieve this goal, they are even using their own wind farm. The company’s current fleet of Porsches was deemed unsuited to such green ambitions, but rather then downsize to less powerful regular cars, they adopted the iOns which are perfectly appropriate for its urban-based drivers.

“The Peugeot range has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years and I believe 100 per cent that small, efficient cars like the Peugeot iOn are the way to go for a business like ours,” Rob Garbutt, CEO of UK Grid said.

Tube Lines is another such organization. Spurred on by the London Mayor’s drive for a greener capital, it is evaluating the Peugeot iOn before adopting a range of electric vehicles, including vans.

“I think the Tube Lines fleet can adapt to using electric vehicles; our engineers do 50-70 miles a week and, given the Peugeot iOn has a range of 93 miles, electric works for us. Besides, we have many facilities around the capital for fast charging,” as Phil Constable, Head of Specialist Services explained.

“I was also attracted to the commercial case for the Peugeot iOn, seeing that it is exempt from the Congestion Charge and ‘pay and display’ parking, too. Some of our staff are currently using public transport which makes them much less mobile when on site, and that’s where we could really benefit from the Peugeot iOn.

The technology is definitely in place now for electric vehicles to be a success, but it’s also reassuring that Peugeot’s warranty covers the vehicle, battery and electric drivetrain for the duration of the four-year lease,” explained Terry Melton, Fleet Manager for Appolo, another company that switched to the iOn.

Mitsubishi’s plug-in hybrid SUV will be launched in 2013, according to Yoshikazu Nakamura, senior executive officer of Mitsubishi Motors Corp.'s global electric vehicle business. He said that the SUV will be similar to the Px-MiEV concept car displayed at the 2009 Tokyo auto show. He indicated that the plug-in hybrid is in its final stages of development. The four-wheel-drive Px-MiEV concept features a 1.6-liter four cylinder partnered to a hybrid system with two electric motors -- one for the front wheels and one for the rear. Back then, Mitsubishi has claimed that the Px-MiEV could be driven up to 30 miles in electric mode before switching to gasoline-electric mode.

Mitsubishi said that it will produce its i-MiEV electric vehicle in only three West Coast states and Hawaii when it starts selling in the US in November 2011. Mitsubishi had also revised the name of the vehicle for the US market. It used to be known as the i-MiEV but it is now called the "i powered by MiEV."

The i will be a 2012 model. Nakamura said that on its first year of sales in the US, 43 Mitsubishi dealers in California, Washington, Oregon and Hawaii will sell the i. Nakamura said that Mitsubishi hasn't named its plug-in hybrid SUV, but it will have the "MiEV" moniker. MiEV stands for "Mitsubishi innovative electric vehicle."

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announced that it reached 5,000 units*1 of its i-MiEV new generation electric vehicle (EV) produced at its Mizushima Plant as of November 23rd.

MMC was first in the world to start production of a full-fledged mass production EV with the i-MiEV in June of 2009. The month after that MMC introduced the i-MiEV to the Japanese market, and has sold about 3,000 units to individuals and businesses nationwide (as of end October 2010). MMC also started left-hand drive European-spec i-MiEV production from October 2010, and is steadily proceeding with global rollout of EVs.

Also, in fiscal year 2011, in order to further expand its production scale via starting North American-spec i-MiEV production, MMC plans to transfer production of the i-MiEV from the current commercial vehicle assembly line to the minicar assembly line for cars such as eK Wagon and i.

*1:Does not include EV production for PSA Peugeot Citroën

Building on the company's more than 35 years of involvement in advanced electric vehicle development, Mitsubishi Motors has unveiled its first all-electric production vehicle bound for the North American market.

Based on the very popular gasoline-powered "i" minicar in the Japanese market, this roomy and practical four-door 2012 model serves as the basis for the new 100% battery-powered Mitsubishi "i" for the North American market. The zero tailpipe emission "i" will be the first North American production vehicle to be powered by Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle (MiEV) technology – cutting edge drivetrain engineering that will serve as the basis for future ultra-environmentally-friendly vehicles from the company. Gone are conventional automotive systems including a gasoline engine, transmission and a fuel tank, having been replaced by advanced components including a lithium-ion battery system, electric motor and an efficient battery charging system in the all-new "i". This electric vehicle has already proved itself a viable and reliable form of transportation as Mitsubishi has been selling the car in its home market since the summer of 2009; production has already commenced for the European-spec i-MiEV, with deliveries beginning later this year.

Mitsubishi anticipates an initial roll out of the "i" to its dealership network in the western United States (specifically California, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii) in November 2011, with entry into the northeastern market to follow by March 2012 and nationwide availability by the end of 2012. The vehicle's MSRP is expected to be around $30,000, not including Federal and available state financial incentives.

The new production Mitsubishi "i" bound for the North American market further differentiates itself from its Japanese- and European-spec versions with a retooled, larger body to provide even more interior comfort for four adults, along with new North American-spec bumpers front and rear for enhanced protection in the event of a collision. Other noteworthy safety measures on the North American-spec vehicle include airbags that protect passengers and control deployment force, Active Stability Control (ASC) and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - all included as standard equipment.

Easier on the Environment

Thanks to its extremely efficient all-electric powertrain, the Mitsubishi "i" produces zero on-road CO2, making it a zero emissions vehicle. What's more, when factoring in the CO2 emissions produced by the power plants that generated the electricity that provides the energy for the "i", this revolutionary Mitsubishi production car only produces about 30% of the CO2 emitted by the 660cc gasoline engine that powers the non-electric-version of the car in its home market. And the reduction in CO2 becomes even more statistically significant considering that the 660cc gasoline engine found in the Japanese market is only about one-third of the displacement of the typical four-cylinder gasoline engine powering cars in the North American market.

Additional energy efficiency can be wrung from the "i" model's electric powertrain thanks to Eco (Economy) and Brake driving modes that supplement the vehicle's standard Drive mode. The Eco mode limits excessive power usage from reaching the motor while the Brake mode increases the resistance of the regenerative braking system (especially when driving downhill) to feed even more energy back into the car's bank of lithium-ion batteries.

Low Cost "Fuel" Source

The operating cost per mile of the electrical-powered Mitsubishi "i" is significantly cheaper than that of a comparable gasoline-powered vehicle. In Japan, the operating cost is only 1/3 that of the 660cc gasoline engine-powered version of the car, and the operating cost can drop even more significantly than that of its internal-combustion sibling by taking advantage of reduced electricity rates by recharging during nighttime or off-peak hours*.

Clever Design = Spacious Accommodations, Outstanding Safety

Thanks to the vehicle's excellent packaging and engineering in relation to its size, this uniquely styled automobile provides an excellent level of safety, ample room for four adults plus handy cargo space.

How can a small car possess such ample interior volume? Mitsubishi engineers have cleverly placed the high-capacity lithium-ion batteries beneath the floor, and the electric motor, inverter and battery charger have been located behind and below the rear passenger area. This setup also has the added benefit of lowering the vehicle's center of gravity. Along with the wheels being placed at the farthest corners of the vehicle, this gives the "i" exceptional stability along with surprisingly agile handling.

Advanced Electric Powertrain

The power system consists of a permanent magnet synchronous electric motor and a high energy density lithium-ion battery pack that consists of 88 cells (22 modules, 4 battery cells per module) for a maximum battery capacity of 16 kWh. The battery modules can be installed either transversely or vertically; this packaging flexibility allows them to be stored underneath the cabin floor. All 88 cells reside within an extremely sturdy stainless steel capsule to provide maximum protection.

The "i" also features a groundbreaking three-way battery charging system that allows the vehicle to be charged using the onboard household charger through either 110V (15A) or 220V (15A) power sources or by a quick-charger system that utilizes a three-phase 220V power supply. The charging times from a very low battery to completely full are approximately 8 hours at 220V and 16 hours at 110V. The three-phase 220V quick-charger can take a low battery all the way up to an 80% battery charge in under a remarkably fast 30 minutes. The three-phase quick-charger makes use of a special outlet that is accessible on the driver's side of the vehicle, while the onboard household charger's outlet is located on the passenger side of the "i".

Strategic Research and Logistical Partners

The Mitsubishi "i" has undergone several years of exhaust testing and evaluation not only internally by the Japanese auto manufacturer but with several other institutions, including seven utility companies in Japan, as well as prototype evaluation programs with major United States utilities Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), Portland General Electric and the Tennessee Valley Authority.

And in an effort to help expand and improve the logistical side of the electric vehicle ownership experience, Mitsubishi has teamed with corporate titans including consumer electronics retailer Best Buy and leading power management company Eaton Corporation. Best Buy, through its 20,000-plus strong employees in its Geek Squad division, has partnered to provide site analysis and work to manage installation of a Level 2 Charging Station it will sell through its stores for Mitsubishi "i" owners to use in their own homes. Designed and manufactured by Eaton - a company that has more than 20 years of experience in developing electrical and hybrid power systems for commercial vehicles - this 220V charging station will cut the time it takes to charge the car's batteries in half when compared to a standard 110V electrical outlet.

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) will host the world premiere of the North American version of its i-MiEV new-generation electric vehicle at the Los Angeles Auto Show (LAAS) held at the Los Angeles Convention Center from Wednesday, November 17 to Sunday November 28 (open to the general public from Friday, November 19). In addition, the Outlander Sport compact CUV (RVR in Japan, ASX in Europe), which is to go on sale in the North American market from the end of this year, as well as other core vehicles for the North American market are planned for display at the LAAS.

The North American version of the i-MiEV, in comparison to the Japanese- and European-spec i-MiEVs, features an enhanced, enlarged body structure to secure plenty of space for four adults and better meet the expectations of U.S. consumers. In addition, the North American-spec i-MiEV's front and rear bumpers are all-new. Airbags that detect passengers and control deployment force, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), and Active Stability Control (ASC) are all standard equipment.

Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV electric vehicle has been in use by corporate fleets since 2007 elsewhere in the world, but Mitsubishi has announced plans to release a mass-market model in the US by 2011. The car debuts at the 2010 LA Auto Show in November.

From leaked sketches, auto enthusiasts speculate that the US model i-MiEV will be wider than existing units. The planned 2011 US spec i-MiEV will also feature a more aggressive styling, particularly in its front fascia. While details on the upgrade have not been unveiled, current-models of the i-MiEV feature a 100-mile range, with a maximum speed of 80 mph. A wider body will also allow for better side impact protection in the event of a crash, which will ensure that the car meets US safety regulations.

The i-MiEV is said to retail for less than $30,000, which is a lower price point than the comparable Nissan LEAF, which is priced at $32,780 before the $7,500 federal tax credit.
The Mitsubishi i-MiEV is expected to reach the US market by the end of 2011.

Mitsubishi Motors Corp and Yamato Transport Co Ltd will start a field test of an electric pickup and delivery vehicle prototyped by Mitsubishi Motors.

The prototyped vehicle will be deployed in Yamato Transport's delivery center in Tokyo Oct 15, 2010. And the two companies will evaluate its practicality by collecting data from the vehicle in operation and analyzing it.

The electric vehicle (EV) to be tested is based on Mitsubishi Motors' "Minicab Van" gasoline-driven commercial light van. The company used the motor and the lithium-ion rechargeable battery of its "i-MiEV" EV for the prototyped EV.

Yamato Transport, which is now making efforts to reduce environmental load in its package delivery business, has already introduced 10 units of the i-MiEV. Based on the results of the field test, it will consider employing a commercial electric light van. The company owns about 45,000 vehicles including 4,659 hybrid electric vehicles as of March 2010.

Mitsubishi Motors plans to obtain feedback from the field test and aims at an early commercialization of the commercial electric light van. Though the company did not disclose the specifications of the prototyped EV, it is planning to commercialize a rear-wheel-drive vehicle made by equipping the Minicab Van with the i-MiEV's motor and drive trains.

If a battery with the same capacity as that of the i-MiEV's battery is used, it will increase the cost of the commercial electric light van. Therefore, Mitsubishi Motors plans to change the capacity of the battery depending on the distance that the vehicle is expected to travel.


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Peugeot’s new Ion electric car, based on the Mitsubishi i-Miev, will be available on a four-year 40,000 mile lease contract when it goes on sale in the UK towards the end of this year.

Peugeot will charge a monthly payment of £415+VAT, which includes lease of the vehicle and battery pack, full warranty cover for the period of the lease, servicing and full maintenance for four years and 40,000 miles.

Private buyers are a low priority. The Ion is targeted mainly at the public sector plus transport and energy sector organisations, leasing companies and large corporate fleets.

At the end of the lease, Peugeot will take the cars back to re-lease to a second user on another four-year contract at a reduced cost.

Peugeot believes running the Ion would bring a potential £5,150 annual saving over a conventional internal combustion powered car.

Peugeot believes the success of the European electric vehicle market will be very dependent on tax incentives at the time of purchase or during ownership, the introduction of infrastructures, possible ecological constraints in terms of urban traffic and the fluctuating price of fossil fuels.

The electric vehicle segment is expected to grow gradually, representing 4% to 5% of the total European market by the year 2020.

Ion production will build gradually, rising to a projected total of 50,000 by the year 2015.


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Mitsubishi Motors today announced the start of production of its European-spec i-MiEV new-generation electric vehicle along with production of PSA Peugeot Citroën's Peugeot iOn and Citroën C-ZERO at its Mizushima Plant.

Mitsubishi  has been producing and selling the Japan-spec i-MiEV since last year. With the production of the European-spec models, MMC begins full-fledged export. In fiscal year 2010 (April, 2010 - March, 2011) Mitsubishi plans to sell 5,000 i-MiEVs overseas, this includes models built for PSA.

At a ceremony at the Mizushima Plant, MMC President Osamu Masuko stated "It has been 100 years since mass production of internal combustion-engine cars began. We have taken the first step into the next 100 years of the automobile with the i-MiEV. Today, we take the second step with production for the European market on the way to global rollout of electric vehicles. This is a big step for the automobile industry and at the same time signifies the beginning of e-mobility for Europe."

Mitsubishi  plans to sell the i-MiEV in Europe in 14 countries including France, the United Kingdom, and Germany from this December, then from fiscal year 2011 sequentially expand the countries it will be sold in.

Compared to the Japanese version, the European-spec i-MiEV has been altered to better suit European requirements, including: a different front and rear bumper design, added safety features such as Active Stability Control (ASC) system, new gear selection, an all-new left-hand-drive dashboard, etc. The European-spec i-MiEV also achieves a cruising range of 150km under the European NEDC driving pattern on one charge.


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Citroen has taken more than 800 orders for Citroen C-ZERO and nearly 400 for Citroen Berlingo electric vans, the French carmaker said today.

Alongside the Mitsubishi i-MiEV–based Citroen C-ZERO, the brand is presenting the Citroen Berlingo “Powered by Venturi” light commercial electric van at the 2010 Paris Motor Show.

Citroen said that the French post office has ordered 250 and Raiffeisen Leasing in Austria will take delivery of an initial order of 140 Citroen Berlingo electric vans.

Meanwhile, more than 800 Citroen C-ZERO electric vehicles, most of them from companies in Europe. Raiffeisen Leasing has ordered 400 C-ZERO’s, 53 was ordered by Choose EV in Denmark, and the rest by other customers in Germany, Switzerland, Belgium and France.

Some 63 Citroen C-ZERO EVs are will be delivered to private customers in Norway.

Citroen signed its most recent contract last Friday, concerning 250 C-ZERO cars for the short-term rental company National/Citer, which thus becomes the first rental company to set up a fleet of this size of full-electric vehicles.

The UK’s largest study into long-term electric vehicle (EV) use reveals an increase in driver confidence, the first real-world analysis on the cost of ‘refuelling’ and fresh information on charging trends.

Six months into the CABLED trial (Coventry and Birmingham Low Emission Demonstrators), Aston University’s research reveals that drivers are travelling more miles, more frequently and are undertaking longer journeys1 - indicating increased confidence and notably reduced ‘range anxiety’.

Cost conscious prospective electric vehicle drivers may also be interested to learn that the average cost to trial participants recharging at home is between just 25p and £1 per day.

The data2, analysed by Aston University combines and compares the behaviour patterns of 25 Mitsubishi i-MiEV drivers over two consecutive quarters. The results form part of the CABLED project, which will see an overall total of 110 ultra low carbon vehicles from different manufacturers, tested on the roads of Birmingham and Coventry as part of a £7.5m year- long Government scheme.

Aston has been using the latest in satellite mapping and computer technologies to collate journey data to give a greater understanding into consumer behaviour and to how individual electric vehicles perform in a real world environment. This data will also be used to map out a future network of electric charging points, to further extend range and improve the convenience of electric vehicles.

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  A Mitsubishi i-MiEV can travel around 80 miles when fully charged and on average, drivers are using less than 30% of their total vehicle charge in a typical daily use.
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  The average charge time per i-MiEV vehicle is two hours. This provides sufficient charge for between 20-40 miles of travel at a cost of between 40p to £1, depending on the tariff.
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  Drivers habitually charge their vehicles, whether the battery is half full or nearly empty, in much the same way as a laptop or mobile phone, which will influence the next generation of battery technology that is incorporated into these vehicles
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  The most popular time to charge vehicles is overnight but as around eight in 10 journeys use less than 18% of the battery and five average length journeys could be completed on one charge, there is now evidence to support the need for intelligent technology that will allow electric vehicles to interact with the national grid.

Project Leader Neil Butcher from CABLED co-ordinating partner Arup believes the data presents a positive outlook for the mass take-up of electric vehicles.

“The phenomenon known as ‘range anxiety’- concern about battery life when undertaking long journeys – is falling as drivers become more familiar with their vehicles. The low cost of ‘refuelling’ in relatively short periods of time reinforce this. While there are technical challenges ahead - such as extending vehicle range and making provision for an increased demand on the national grid - our results show that even current EVs are more than capable of meeting users’ day-to-day needs,” he said.


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