Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (2014)

When the new Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is launched in the spring of 2014 it will qualify to be exempt from the London Congestion Charge.

The Outlander PHEV is a 4x4 SUV - a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle which is capable of up to 148 mpg with CO2 emissions of 44g/km. Not only will owners benefit from lower fuel bills, they are exempt from paying vehicle excise duty (VED) and for business users the benefit in kind rate is 5%, plus it is exempt from the London Congestion Charge

Before 1st July 2013 all hybrid vehicles qualified to be Congestion Charge exempt. After this date Transport for London (TfL) tightened the rules meaning hybrid vehicles had to be able to travel more than 10 miles using electric power alone and emit less than 75 g/km CO2 in order to qualify. The result was that most of the hybrid vehicles in the market, which generally have an electric vehicle range of less than 10 miles and emissions above 75 g/km, no longer qualified.

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV can cover up to 32 miles in pure EV mode (under electric power only) and when the combustion engine is engaged the range increases to 515 miles. In pure EV mode it can reach a top speed of 75 mph, in hybrid the top speed increases.

We cannot wait to try out the Outlander PHEV which seems to answer a lot of people's concerns about 4x4 SUV's - with its pure EV mode it seems perfect for school run and local shopping trips, yet still capable of carrying the family on holiday in hybrid mode.