North Lanarkshire Council Takes Delivery of The Mitsubishi i-MiEV

Twelve new pure electric Mitsubishi i-MiEVs have been delivered to North Lanarkshire Council for use in its pool car scheme, contributing to the aim of the council, to find sustainable and environmentally ways to work.

"As a council we are committed to working sustainably", said Councillor Helen McKenna, Convener of the Environmental Services committee.

"We have a carbon management plan, developed with help from the Carbon Trust, in place, and we've been signatory to Scotland's Climate Change Declaration since 2007."

Councillor Helen McKenna went on to say: "The pioneering technology that has brought these cars will help us make even more difference to our environment, and will hopefully demonstrate to others that there are workable alternatives to petrol vehicles out there. I look forward to seeing them in operation."

When compared to petrol cars, the Mitsubishi i-MiEV can be very cheap to run, with no road tax and an overnight charge costing as little as £1.05 which provides enough power for the car to travel up to 93 miles. Top speed is 87 mph and acceleration from 0-60 is under 13 seconds.

"We expect to generate savings of more than £150,000 in the next 18 months through our pool car scheme as a whole" said Kenneth Wilson, Head of Land Services at North Lanarkshire Council.

"The Mitsubishi i-MiEVs will contribute greatly to the scheme as they cost significantly less to run than petrol or diesel vehicles, and are a far better option for air quality and the environment. Even the cost of buying the vehicles has been substantially funded by a grant of £215,000 from the Sustainability Carbon Trust."

"The Mitsubishi i-MiEV is revolutionary, innovative, fun, environmentally-friendly, agile, exciting and economical", said Lance Bradley, Managing Director of Mitsubishi Motors in the UK.

"It's perfect for urban driving, deliberately designed as a small, compact, city car with the ability to nip in and out of traffic and park in the tightest of spaces, thanks to its instant electric power delivery and compact, nimble driving style. With an electric vehicle like the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, customers need not compromise in any area."

Phoenix Mitsubishi handed over the 12 Mitsubishi i-MiEVs to North Lanarkshire Council. In 2009 and 2010 Greenfleet Awards, the Mitsubishi i-MiEV was named Electric Vehicle of the Year.