2012 Green Car Buyer’s Guide, Mitsubishi

Price Range: $21,600 – $23,600
City/Hwy/Combined MPGe: 126/99/112
Annual Fuel Cost: $550
Air Pollution Score: 10
Greenhouse Gas Score: 10
ACEEE Green Score and Class Ranking: 58/Superior
Safety Ratings: N/A
Space: 84.7 cu. ft. p.v./seats 4
Drive Score: 3
Similar Used: New for 2012

Good to Know: 

• The i’s small size, light weight and overall efficiency earned it the top spot in the 2012 ratings by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.
• The original name was “MiEV,” meaning “Mitsubishi in-wheel electric vehicle.” That got switched to “Mitsubishi innovative electric vehicle.” Now the name is simply a lowercase “i.”
• Its technology is weak for an electric vehicle. The 16-kwh lithium-ion battery pack is less than half the size of the Coda’s and one-third smaller than that in the Leaf.
• Its 47-kilowatt motor provides 63 horsepower for a max speed of about 80 mph, with real-world range of about 60 miles per charge.
• Charging time is about seven hours on a 240-volt outlet and up to 22.5 hours on a standard 120-volt outlet.
• Mitsubishi added a few inches inside and out to the U.S. version — but it’s still a tight fit with a cheap, light feel.
• The i is likely to draw comparisons with a golf cart — a stigma that other modern electric cars have recently eluded.

What the Press Says: 

• “It’s a refreshing, minimalist take on what an EV should be. ... For eco-minded drivers, an i-MiEV would nicely complement a 40-mpg Ford Fiesta in a two-car garage. Fun, frugal, functional — that’s all you need.” — Autoblog 
• “Driving the Mitsubishi i is so not fun that it might as well drive itself. ... Given the car’s intended purpose — shuttling people in blissful harmony with nature while using as little energy as possible — the i delivers.” — Automobile 

More 2012 green cars: Find details about many more green cars from other automakers in The Ultimate Green Car Buyer’s Guide, 2012.

Photo from Mitsubishi