Over 40 local companies and government departments have applied for the initial shipment of 40 i-MiEV electric cars, Mitsubishi Motors Australia (MMAL) said. They include banks, energy companies and the Department of Environment. The cars are due to arrive later this month.
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”Each of these organisations will receive an i-MiEV electric vehicle for use on their company fleet, with employees and staff amongst the first Australians to experience the technology on a daily basis,” the company said in a statement.
MMAL CEO and president Masahiko Takahashi said that the company has received an overwhelming response to the Australian launch.
”The proof of Australia’s acceptance of the electric vehicle comes down to whether people are ready to purchase the vehicle – and there is no doubt that they are,” Takahashi said. ”’We have three times as many applicants as vehicles at this point.”
Initially, the company will retain ownership of the car, with organisations and bodies signing a leasing agreement for A$1,740 (around US$1,537) per month.
Early studies show that recharging the i-MiEV will cost around A$4 per 100 kilometres (60 miles), according to Mitsubishi.
”When you consider that 85% of commuters in urban Australian environments travel less than 100km per day, the i-MiEV represents an excellent solution to reduce our environmental footprint when green energy is utilised,” Takahashi said.
