The original, fully-electric Mitsubishi iMiEV was first released for sale to the public more thn a decade ago in 2010, making it the first (current era) mass produced full battery electric vehicle (BEV) to be offered for sale.
(The iMiEV was based on Mitsubishi’s existing 659cc petrol i-car. The prize for the first mass produced EV designed from the ground up goes to the Nissan Leaf).
It was popular in its home country (Japan) and sold in Europe under both Citroen and Peugeot badges as the iOn (Peugeot) and C-Zero (Citroen) – but it struggled to sell in Australia. Mitsubishi ended iMiEV sales here in March, 2014, with Australian sales totalling around 250 units.
Subsequently, a number of the related iMiEV van/minicab variant (called the MiEV) were privately imported. These use the same running gear as the iMiEV, but may have either the 16kWh iMiEV battery or a smaller 12kWh one.
For owners of any of these, the real-world driving range at new for the 16kWh battery was around 100-120km. (Despite the rather over-optimistic NEDC range of 150 km being quoted by dealers at the time).
That was fine for most day-to-day driving, but long-distance trips required serious planning …. and patience as there was no DC charging network to speak of in those early days.
Jumping forward to now, the youngest iMiEV delivered to Australia is 8 years old. Whilst the iMiEV battery has not declined in the same way early Nissan Leaf ones have, an iMiEV’s range is now at best around 80km. (Even less in winter as the iMiEV heating system is quite inefficient compared to most current-day EVs).
So what is to be done as these iMiEVs and MiEV vans reach the end of their battery life?
Until now, there has been the option of a new 16kWh battery from Mitsubishi. (Costing around $15,000). Given that’s more than the second-hand worth of an iMiEV and returning a range well less than modern EVs – it was not a particularly exciting option.
Plus, even if you wanted to go down that path, they have been difficult to arrange as (anecdotally at least) dealers work hard to avoid doing them! However many iMiEVs are too good to throw away, having led pampered lives in garages and with low kilometres due to solely being used for short trips.
However, a new option has now arrived: Queensland EV repairer and converter Oz Electric Vehicles has just announced a 30kWh replacement iMiEV battery pack incorporating new cells and fitting into the same space as the original pack.
Costing $12,950 fitted (with the trade-in of the old battery) the new battery pack not only offers the return of the original 100-120km-ish range – it doubles it to between 200 and 240km!
They are also offering several optional upgrades on the original iMiEV, including cruise control and a full i-pedal option.
Oz Electric Vehicles will be showing the battery pack and options at an open day on Saturday, Nov 27 at their Brisbane workshop – or you can make an enquiry via their website.
For overseas readers – Oz Electric Vehicles hope to soon be offering their iMiEV battery and software upgrades via licenced workshops in other markets. Further information, click here.
Bryce Gaton is an expert on electric vehicles and contributor for The Driven and Renew Economy. He has been working in the EV sector since 2008 and is currently working as EV electrical safety trainer/supervisor for the University of Melbourne. He also provides support for the EV Transition to business, government and the public through his EV Transition consultancy EVchoice.