The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is usually associated with rating the fuel mileage of gasoline and diesel burning machines but they also rate the range of fully electric vehicles. Mitsubishi’s new brand image, which as shifted towards much more efficient cars has produced the fully electric i. Before it is ready for the masses, the EPA first must put a ‘rating’ on the mileage of the i.
The i features two driving modes: normal ‘LA4’ and a super efficient e mode. The i can get between 62 to 98 in city driving while in LA4 and up to 126 miles in e mode with a full charge.
Read the full press release below.
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The 100% electric-powered Mitsubishi i has earned an EPA-rated 126 MPGe in city driving and 99 MPGe out on the highway (112 MPGe combined). Additionally, the EPA has also awarded the stylish and fun-to-drive electric vehicle (EV) a “real world” driving range of 62 miles. The “real world” EPA driving evaluation incorporates battery-sapping segments of aggressive driving and operating the vehicle in higher ambient temperatures with the air conditioning on.
Additionally, the EPA has rated the vehicle’s LA4 driving cycle range at 98 miles. The EPA LA4 driving cycle test covers a distance of approximately 7.5 miles and includes numerous brief stops along the route to mimic in-town driving and its accompanying start/stops for traffic signals. Mitsubishi has worked to improve the driving range of the 2012 Mitsubishi i: The 98 mile range is attributed to software upgrades and a revamped regenerative braking system.
“We feel that with the combination of capability, affordability, and high level of efficiency offered by the 2012 Mitsubishi i will prove very appealing to consumers considering EV transportation,” said Yoichi Yokozawa, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors North America.
With a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $27,990 for the base ES model before a federal tax credit of $7,500 and various state financial incentives (subject to availability of funding), the Mitsubishi i is the most affordably-priced mass-produced electric vehicle available in the United States.
Among the vehicle’s long list of standard amenities are an energy-efficient electric air conditioning with micron filter, speed-sensitive Electric Power Steering (EPS), driver seat heater and LED rear combination tail lamps. Advanced safety features including dual-stage supplemental front air bags, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side impact supplemental air bags, roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags for front and rear-seat outboard passengers, Active Stability Control (ASC) with Traction Control Logic (TCL), 4-wheel Anti-Lock Braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD), Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), high voltage cut-off system and an Approaching Vehicle Audible System (AVAS) are also included on every Mitsubishi i model as standard equipment.
