Mitsubishi has been on tour with its two full-production i-MiEV's, taking the vehicles around the country to showcase the latest in electric car technology.
I had the pleasure of driving one of these small fully electric cars around Albert Park and I must say it's just like driving any ordinary small car, with one exception it doesn't make a sound.
Sitting in the i-MiEV is like any standard car, you are confronted with all the usual controls. But, looking at the dash you will notice a few differences. 1. The traditional rev meter is replaced by a Charge and Power meter 2. Instead of a fuel gauge there is a battery meter.
The i-MiEV uses a 'smart key' system like most cars these days, which you can keep in your pocket or place in the centre console.
On the ignition there is a plastic switch, which you turn like a key, now this is the weird / new part, the car simply makes a beeping noise and flashes a light to let you know the motor has been engaged. There is no vibration from the motor, no noise and most importantly no fumes. You would assume that the car isn't running at all.
The i-MiEV has three driving modes to choose from which are marked accordingly on the gear lever. Drive, Eco and Brake. While in Drive mode the car is in full power mode and drives normally. Eco mode conserves power by only using half the throttle while Brake mode offers high regenerative braking that absorbs kinetic energy.
Unlike a standard car the i-MiEV is powered by a 47kW full electric motor that resides under the rear seats. The motor has the advantage of producing 180Nm that is available instantaneously.
The electric motor sends power directly to the rear wheels, there is no transmission. So the i-MiEV, in effect, has one gear, and the speed is regulated by how fast the electric motor is spinning. Top speed has been restricted to 130km/h.
The i-MiEV weighs in at around 1080kg, which puts the i-MiEV in the lighter part of the small car segment.
The 16kWh lithium-ion battery pack (which weighs 230kg) is mounted low, under the floor of the passenger compartment giving the i-MiEV a better centre of gravity.
