Currently reading: Mitsubishi i MiEV launched

Range of 99 miles is confirmed; 1400 lease sales expected by March 2010

Mitsubishi has launched the production version of its electric iMiEV city car in Japan.

The iMiev goes on sale in Japan next month and the firm is hoping that electric vehicles will make up 20 per cent of its sales by 2020.

Priced at 4.38m Yen (£28,000), the all-electric iMiev is significantly more expensive than popular hybrids in Japan, such as the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight, but Mitsubishi is aiming for 1400 lease sales to corporate customers and local governments by March 2010.

The four-seater iMiEV has a range of 99 miles and its lithium ion batteries can be fully recharged in 14 hours on 100V power. A 30-minute charge is possible on a high-power quick output.

UK pricing or releases dates are yet to be confirmed, but expect to see the iMiEV on sale in UK dealers ext year.

Subaru has also unveiled an plug-in electric version of its Japan-only Stella city car.

Priced just above the iMiEV, the Stella has more modest sales targets of 170 units by next April.

Mark Tisshaw

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