Porirua And Mitsubishi Launch First Electric Car in PCC Fleet

Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand (MMNZ) continues its 40-year relationship with the people of Porirua with the launch tomorrow of the Council's first electric car.

Global leader of electric vehicle (EV) technology, Mitsubishi, released the all-electric i-MiEV in New Zealand last year and Porirua City Council has just added one to its fleet.

The i-MiEV is a four-door hatchback with strong, safe acceleration and a driving range of up to 150km. Just plug it into a 15-amp socket to charge overnight - and away you go.

"Mitsubishi have a long history with Porirua and its people, with its vehicle assembly plant operating here for more than 25 years, so it's great to be able to continue that tradition while also looking to providing sustainable ways of working that will benefit our future generations too," says Mayor Nick Leggett.

"Electric vehicles will play a significant part in reducing greenhouse emissions and Mitsubishi are leaders in this new technology. Feedback from those trialed in Wellington City over the past year is that they are ideal for urban commuting - Porirua is just 20 minutes from Wellington - and ‘around town’ motoring."

Mitsubishi Motors NZ head of sales and marketing strategy Daniel Cook says: “These are the first mass produced EVs available to Kiwis and we’re excited to be able to deliver such leading edge environmentally conscious technology. Being all electric the i-MiEV emits no harmful CO2, and its running costs are very low. A full overnight recharge costs about $5 and, depending on conditions, this can power the i-MiEV for up to 150km: more than enough for the average commute of 32 km / day”.

If caught short in the city, Wellington EV drivers now also have inner-city recharging options. At its Harbour City Z Service Station, Greenstone Energy has installed a free 15-amp charging post.

“The revolutionary Mitsubishi i-MiEV is a whole new way of thinking about transportation, embodying the latest developments in technological innovation” says Mr Cook. “The high-power, low noise electric engine delivers a drive unlike any vehicle on New Zealand roads”.

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation’s Japan-based executive vice president Hiizu Ichikawa will hand over the keys of the new i-MiEV to Porirua Mayor Nick Leggett at 10am on Tuesday 3 July at Mitsubishi Motors Head Office, Heriot Drive, Porirua. Mitsubishi’s office is adjacent to the former vehicle assembly plant, where 311,076 cars, utes, vans and trucks were built up until its closure in 1998.

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