Will Mitsubishi be the first EV in Australia?

The Minister for Transport and Regional Development, Anthony Albanese, announced on the 9th April, that Mitsubishi's iMiEV fully electric plugin car had met all the required Australian Design Rules (ADRs) and could now be driven on Australian roads.

This is the first production EV to be registered in Australia, production of the iMiEV for the Japanese market is expected to begin in September this year. Plans to produce cars for Australia are yet to be announced with Mistsubishi still conducting feasiability studies to gauge the interest here and other countries such as New Zealand.

So if you want to see an Electric Car on the roads of Australia, please contact Mitsubishi and let them know you are interested in buying one, otherwise they may not produce them for Australia.

The Mini E - made by BMW

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/new-experience---driving-pleasure/story.aspx?guid=%7b42612B5A-3EF0-4425-A323-4F479652C413%7d&dist=hppr

The BMW Group will be the world's first manufacturer of premium automobiles to deploy a fleet of some 500 all-electric vehicles for private use in daily traffic. The MINI E will be powered by a 150 kW (204 hp) electric motor fed by a high-performance rechargeable lithium-ion battery, transferring its power to the front wheels via a single-stage helical gearbox nearly without a sound and entirely free of emissions. Specially engineered for automobile use, the battery technology will have a range of more than 240 kilometers, or 150 miles. The MINI E will initially be made available to select private and corporate customers as part of a pilot project in the US states of California, New York and New Jersey. The possibility of offering the MINI E in Europe as well is currently being considered. The MINI E will give its world premiere at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 19 and 20, 2008.


The MINI E's electric drive train produces a peak torque of 220 Newton meters, delivering seamless acceleration to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 8.5 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 152 km/h (95 mph). Featuring a suspension system tuned to match its weight distribution, the MINI E sports the brand's hallmark agility and outstanding handling.