Project CABLED (Coventry and Birmingham Low Emission Vehicle Demonstrators) is set to test 110 electrical vehicles as part of the £25 million Technology Strategy Board’s Ultra Low Carbon Vehicle Demonstrator competition. Today saw the releasing of the first set of results based upon the performance of 25 Mitsubishi i-MiEVs (Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicles) in the first quarter of 2010.
The results demonstrate that electric vehicle drivers enjoy a driving experience not a whole lot different than drivers of conventional gasoline-based vehicles. The majority of journeys made in the study were of a distance less than five miles. Similar journeys made in petrol-powered vehicles would be made whilst the engine was at its most pollutant – just as it is warming up. Similarly, catalytic converters are, at short distances, at their least effective.
The average daily mileage of the vehicles tested in the study was around 23 miles. This was perfectly in keeping with the Mitsubishi i-MiEV’s 80 mile range, which should quell criticisms that the range limits of electric vehicles are impractical. It is also worth noting that the study vehicles were parked for 97% of the time (usually overnight or during school hours). This allowed for lengthy periods of charging, though studies also showed that drivers left their vehicles plugged in after charging 20% of the time. The vehicles only use the electricity needed to charge them, but most drivers reported that the act of plugging-in over night soon became habitual. They were, therefore, setting out with a full battery each and every day, with more than enough energy for their daily motoring needs and beyond.
When driving, the entire speed-ranges of the cars were used. This shows that electrical motorists were perfectly happy to drive at motorway speeds as and when required.
A full copy of the research is available on request of the Mitsubishi Press Office.
4×4 vehicles with an all-new Outlander model joining its UK range in March 2007. This SUV-estate car crossover has five doors and seven seats. The flexible interior features a second row of seats that fold and tumble to create more load space, while the rearmost seats fold flat and are designed for occasional/child use.
luxurious Shogun we have ever built. Reassuringly familiar yet notably different the brand new, fourth generation Mitsubishi Shogun is the culmination of more than a quarter century’s expertise in building one of the world’s favourite, most successful and most enduring 4x4s. Externally both 3 and 5door models are reminiscent of the original Shogun concept – a cleaner, sharper silhouette than recent incarnations – with new features such as auto-levelling Xenon (High Intensity Discharge) headlamps with washers, rear view camera and reversing sensors which are fully focused on the job in hand.
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