Mitsubishi Selects the State of Hawaii for the Initial Launch of the New Mitsubishi i Electric Vehicle for North America

HONOLULU, April 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) has selected Hawaii to be the first state to receive the North American version of the company's groundbreaking 100% electric-powered Mitsubishi i production vehicle beginning in November of this year.  

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110422/LA88370)

With a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price of $27,990 for the base ES model, Hawaiian citizens can  take advantage of their tropical state's clean energy rebate of $4,500 toward the purchase of the Mitsubishi i along with a federal tax credit of $7,500 (subject to availability of funding), reducing the EV's out-of-pocket cost to under $16,000 after rebates and credits. Beginning April 22, Hawaiian consumers will be able to reserve their own Mitsubishi i with a fully-refundable deposit of only $299.00 at the website i.MitsubishiCars.com.  What's more, Mitsubishi will waive the $99.99 home electrical inspection* fee for the first 2,000 people who place a reservation and purchase this new electric vehicle.  

"We thank Mitsubishi Motors for choosing Hawaii as one of the first states to receive the new "i" electric car.  Electric vehicles use a fraction of the fuel needed by traditional cars, so each EV on the road means we're reducing our dependence on imported oil and increasing our ability to reach Hawaii's goal of 70 percent clean energy within a generation," said Estrella Seese, Acting Energy Program Administrator, Hawaii State Energy Office.

The Mitsubishi i will be available for licensed drivers to test drive at Cutter Mitsubishi in Aiea, Hawaii later this fall.

Mitsubishi anticipates deliveries of the spacious and energy efficient 5-door 2012 Mitsubishi i to its dealership network in the western United States (specifically Hawaii, California, Oregon, and Washington) in November 2011, with entry into the northeastern market to follow by March 2012 and nationwide availability by the end of 2012.

The Mitsubishi i can be charged using the onboard household charger through either 120V or 240V power sources or by a DC quick-charger system that utilizes a three-phase 220V power supply (80% charge in 30 minutes). The charging times from a very low battery to completely full are approximately 6 hours at 240V and 22.5 hours at 120V. Mitsubishi is targeting a driving range of 85 miles for the vehicle.

*Home electrical system inspection is performed by Mitsubishi's affiliated trained experts to make sure that it can efficiently charge the new 100% electric-powered Mitsubishi i.

About Mitsubishi Motors Corporation

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) is responsible for all manufacturing, finance, sales, marketing, research and development operations for Mitsubishi Motors in the United States.  MMNA sells coupes, convertibles, sedans and sport utility vehicles through a network of approximately 400 dealers. In November of 2011, MMNA will launch the battery electric Mitsubishi i as part of a corporate mission to offer consumers more environmentally responsible modes of transportation. This battery-powered electric vehicle technology addresses the need for vehicles that produce zero tailpipe emissions and support a growing agenda for sustainability. For more information, contact the Mitsubishi Motors News Bureau at (888) 560-6672 or visit media.mitsubishicars.com.

SOURCE Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.