Want the iMiEV in the U.S.? Sign the petition
The Mitsubishi i-MiEV is one of the most exciting pure-electric projects discussed by a major automaker. For one thing, the numbers being tossed around for this city car are astounding: something around 100 miles per charge (depending on driving style) and 1,000 vehicles that might be ready for sale for €17,000 ($24,800US) in 2009 or 2010. The trouble is, for American drivers, that these vehicles are only going to be available in Japan and Europe (so far, Mitsubishi has only said "maybe" to U.S. sales of the i-MiEV).So, what's the answer? An online petition organized by one Ben Robeson and tipped to AutoblogGreen by Steven L. The petition encourages Mitsubishi Motors North America to bring the i-MiEV here because "the American public is ready for this type of vehicle" (read the full text after the jump or sign on here). As Steven wrote to us, this call won't have a lot of impact unless there are a few thousand signatures, which might take a while. I can't tell when the petition was put online, but it currently has just 75 votes.
Gallery: Mitsubishi i MiEV Sport for Tokyo
Related:
- Mitsubishi testing upgraded i-Miev in Japan
- Mitsubishi's all-electric i MiEV may arrive earlier than expected
- Why Mitsubishi is so bullish on the i MiEV
Petition text:
To: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
We would like to encourage Mitsubishi to bring the i MiEV electric car to the United States of America. We feel there is sufficient demand for an affordable electric vehicle and the market is just waiting for a strong candidate to be sold. The attention that the Tesla Roadster and GM Volt prototype have received in national media are strong indications that the American public is ready for this type of vehicle, and Mitsubishi has shown that it has a good candidate for opening up this market in America.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
KarenRei 12:31PM (2/21/2008)
I'd rather have an Aptera, but the MiEV isn't a bad alternative. I especially like how it has multiple charging options.
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Sebastian 12:34PM (2/21/2008)
Being from Canada and reading ABG regularly, I would sign the petition in an instant if it said "North America" instead. U.S. citizens aren't the only one being excited at the idea of electric cars and green ways of transportation in general.
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Dave 1:02PM (2/21/2008)
I would opt for the MiEV over the Aptera in a heartbeat. In fact, I will sign a check today if I can order one of these for the U.S.
Maybe Mitsubishi should look at the success of the Smart for two and see that Americans are serious about small cars. I want my EV!
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Richard 1:23PM (2/21/2008)
Even if you're in Canada, sign it and put a comment on the comment field. They'll read it.
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KarenRei 2:13PM (2/21/2008)
Dave: Out of curiosity, what do you like better about the MiEV in comparison to the Aptera? It's not as energy efficient and has less range, plus seems to lack a lot of the "extras" found in the Aptera, is slower in acceleration, and doesn't have the sleek, sci-fi styling. It's 3k cheaper, though, but still, I'd much rather have an Aptera.
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Chad 2:29PM (2/21/2008)
Number 214 on the petition!
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Dave 2:37PM (2/21/2008)
KarenRei,
The looks are more appealing to me--the Aptera is out of the Jetsons. I trust the brand name more, and know the MiEV has been in testing for years. I'm guessing it's safer. Plus I think it's going to be cheaper (although I could be wrong).
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tchamp 2:40PM (2/21/2008)
Ok, I'll answer the "why iMiEV over Aptera" question. Really, the list is very long, but most if is that the iMiEV is a "real" car, and not classified as a motorcycle.
I would have to wear a helmet in the Aptera. I would have to get a motorcycle license. The Aptera is single wheel, rear drive, and living in part of the US where winter = snow & ice, rear drive is out of the question. My wife won't let me buy a vehicle that cannot hold my whole family. The list goes on, but again, iMiEV = "real car"
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KarenRei 3:00PM (2/21/2008)
Tchamp: In the only place where the Aptera is currently sold, California, you neither have to wear a helmet nor have a motorcycle license. Their expansion plans include working with legislators in fixing any problematic regulations in other states.
Single wheel doesn't make a difference. By the laws of physics, assuming equal drag coefficients on the tires and all of the weight that would otherwise be on two tired being instead on the one, the one tire has twice the traction, for a net change of no difference.
The MiEV is a rear-wheel drive vehicle (http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/firstdrives/217122/mitsubishi_i_miev.html), so that's no real advantage. Besides, rear wheel drive is only bad on snow and ice in an "engine forward" configuration. It's about where the weight goes; you want the weight over the drive wheel(s) in slippery conditions. A FWD car with the weight in the back performs no better or worse than a RWD car with weight in the front, and vice versa. Where's the weight in the MiEV? Where's the weight in the Aptera? Can you say at this point? On the upside, RWD cars all have proper weight transfer during acceleration (puts the weight on the drive wheel), have no torque steer, are generally more servicable since everything's not crammed into a front engine compartment, and so on.
Anyways, if it doesn't bother you that the MiEV has less range, is literally half as energy efficient, and so on, then that's your call :) The only argument that makes sense is the amount of seating, although personally, I don't get why people would insist that *every* car they get must seat the whole family unless the family only owns one car.
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GoodCheer 3:37PM (2/21/2008)
I'm signer #238.
Both the Aptera and the iMiEV are electric, but that's where the similarities end. I hardly think arguing for one over the other makes any more sense than arguing between a Lamorghini and a BMW M5. The most interesting contrast (as I see it) is that Aptera is facing logistics and bureaucratic barriers to selling me a Typ1, while Mitsu is facing corporate mental inertia and production scale-up.
I'd take a good look at either as a 2nd (or maybe even 1st) car when either company puts one out for sale near me.
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Mike Weston 4:11PM (2/21/2008)
I have a deposit on the Aptera, but like I said when I signed the petition (#248), I'll buy an electric vehicle once there's one available that costs under $30,000 and has a real world 80+ mile range. A roof, at least two seats, and acceptable safety are also requirements. The most important factor though is actually selling the darn things.
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mike 5:09PM (2/21/2008)
It's up to #265. I'd like to see the SPORT version get to the North American Shores as well.
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mike 5:12PM (2/21/2008)
Is this just AutoBlogGreen readers signing up?
This looks great, the Bible says "subdue" the earth, not "DESTROY" .
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Chris M 5:23PM (2/21/2008)
The upside for Mitsubishi is a strong pent-up demand for EVs - note high demand for the Tesla Roadster and rising prices for used RAV4-EVs. The downside is rapidly increasing competition in EVs and PHEVs - Tesla, Aptera, Phoenix, Venture, Visionary Vehicles, GM, Toyota, etc.
Personally, I'd prefer the streamlined Aptera, but I can see the appeal of the minivan-like extra room of the iMIEV. Different Volts for different folks, if you'll pardon the pun.
It would be nice to have an "extra battery" option for those needing more range (or power!) and are willing to pay a few thousand extra for it.
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KarenRei 6:43PM (2/21/2008)
The way I look at it, as part of the typical American household with 2 cars... buy whatever's best for you now to replace one of your gas-burners, and 5-10 years down the road, replace your other with one that makes use of the even more advanced tech that'll be available then :)
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Ben 8:01PM (2/21/2008)
The article mentions it being a city car, which I understood to be not up to highway speeds. Is this correct? Once I know the iMiEV is capable of highway speeds and at least a 100 mile range I'll sign the petition. I like the Aptera best so far, but its not available in Michigan where the ICE gods reign (infernal combustion engine). I have laid my money down in the past for a high mileage car (top av mileage logged 78mpg on a highway trip in my Insight) and am for sure going to be buying a BEV to make use of my wind and solar production capacity.
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KarenRei 8:24PM (2/21/2008)
Ben: I'll give my Aptera a run in Iowa and let ya know how it works out. I'm buying through an intermediary ;)
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Karl-Uwe Strunzen 8:34PM (2/21/2008)
jeepers, 17000 euros in 2009?
I'm impressed! 17000 euros is the price of a normal car in the B segment in Europe, and 2009 isn't that far off....
Finally!
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94 Taurus owner 9:27AM (2/22/2008)
if it does come to the USA I hope it challenges the Chevrolet Volt's 35000$
price tag.
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allen 10:15AM (3/15/2008)
bring this car in to usa now..
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