Mitsubishi Electric i

Mitsubishi Electric i

The Evo is gone, the Ralliart is dead. Going forward Mitsubishi is going to become a builder of pure EVs and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). So much so, that the new Mitsubishi North American president Yoichi Yokozawa just announced that no less than 8 EVs or PHEVs will be on sale by 2015. Mr. Yokozawa said that Mitsubishi will, "Become the kind ofcar company that society expects us to be, that the planet needs us to be." But what about the kind of company that consumers want? That remains to be seen, of course.
What is clear, is that the long awaited i (formerly known as the i MiEV) will be going on sale. How much? $27,990. A biggish chunk of change, for sure. But remember that electric vehicles get a $7500 federal tax credit, the price drops to a more likeable $20,490, making it the cheapest EV you can buy. And depending on which state you live in, this price could drop even further. In California, the i will most likely qualify for the full monty CRVP $5000 tax credit, effectively dropping the price to $15,490, making the i by far the cheapest EV there is. Nice, right?
When can you buy one? Tomorrow! No, really - it is Earth Day after all. Simply go to i.mitsubishicars.com and give them a $299 PayPal deposit plus $99 for a mandatory home electric inspection. But if you're one of the first 2000 people to put down a deposit, Mitsubishi will wave the $99 fee. Demo cars will show up at dealerships in November, and actual cars will be charging away in customers garages come January of 2012. With the high price of gas and the now seemingly inherently unstable nature of the petroleum market, Mitsubishi's i will probably find a few good homes.