The electric car that can break the speed limit

Forget milk float. Forget golf buggy. The tarnished image of the electric car is about to be smartened up. The first proper-performance, four-seater electric car from a major manufacturer is about to be launched on the UK market.

The i-MiEV – pronounced eye-meev – from Mitsubishi, is a saloon car which will carry four adults and reach a top speed of 87mph. It will be available in the UK, initially for leasing, from the middle of 2009 and can travel up to 100 miles without charging.
Developed from Mitsubishi’s petrol-driven i-minicar, the i-MiEV is fully crash-tested, and offers double the speed of its predecessors. It also offers double the range on a battery charge – 80 to 100 miles – although this, of course, is still the major drawback for a consumer. You won’t be using it to drive from London to Glasgow. And it takes six to seven hours to recharge at home.

However, Mitsubishi is convinced there is a serious market for the i-MiEV – which stands for Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle – beginning with companies and organisations which need to be seen to be at the forefront of environmental awareness, and will not be put off by the hefty price tag of