The following is a discussion with Aussie electric vehicle (EV) owner Rob about their purchase of a second hand Mitsubishi i-MiEV 2009 and experience driving, servicing, charging etc.
EDITOR: I’m publishing a regular series of articles with the views of Australian EV owners about their EV ownership experience.
This will help fill an information gap as the majority of electric car news articles are about new car launches and there’s relatively little published about the longer term Australian ownership experience after you’ve paid for your electric car. Hopefully this shared information helps other Aussies make their own EV purchase decision.
If you’re an Australian electric vehicle owner and would like to participate in this interview series by sharing your experience please contact me directly or add a comment below and let me know.
Was your electric car bought or leased?
Our Mitsubishi IMiEV was bought second hand through a private seller.
What has the regular servicing / dealership experience been like?
Mitsubishi was a nightmare with staff not knowing how to fix any issues.
How do you regularly charge your car for day to day usage?
- plug in to standard PowerPoint at home (when there’s spare solar power)
- plug in to standard PowerPoint at home (scheduled for cheaper grid power time of day)
What has your day to day normal charging experience been like?
Very easy, majority of charging done at home.
Plug car in when returning home, unplug it before we leave to go anywhere.
How do you charge your car for longer road trips on the weekend or during holidays? Do you prefer any particular brand of public fast charger during road trips eg Evie, Tesla, Chargefox and why?
We prefer our Tesla Model 3 Performance for long road trips.
Does your EV have any special features like V2L reverse charging from the car to your portable/home appliances? If yes please share your experience using this special feature
Our iMiev has V2L capability, but requires the purchase of a separate module that converts the power from the Chademo plug, to 240V 15 amp outlet. we do not have this module.
If you have roadside assist included with the car purchase/lease and have had to use it, which company provided the service and what was that experience like?
We have not used roadside assistance as of this time.
Do you have any other comments about your electric car experience?
Not really. They are just better overall, cheaper to run, better drive and better for your health.
Video Interview by Electrify This Youtube Channel
Rob was recently interviewed by Sarah from the Electrify This Youtube Channel. It’s well worth watching.
A summary of the video transcript (credit: NoteGPT.io) is below:
Rob owns a 15-year-old Mitsubishi i-MiEV, the world’s first mass-produced modern EV. Despite its age, it still offers 80 km of range and practicality, making it a fun and efficient daily driver.
Highlights
🚗 Mitsubishi i-MiEV: World’s first modern mass-produced EV
🛡️ 15 years old: Challenges the myth of short EV lifespan
⚡ 80 km range: Still practical for daily use
🏁 Zippy acceleration: Fun to drive in city traffic
🛒 Practicality: Surprising amount of interior space
🚗 Driving habits: Used for daily errands, while Tesla is for road trips
🔌 Charging convenience: Able to charge while shopping
Key Insights
🌏 Environmental Impact: Rob’s switch to the i-MiEV due to high petrol prices and health benefits highlights the positive environmental impact of EV adoption.
🚗 EV Perception: The misconceptions surrounding EVs, such as weight issues and charging behavior, are debunked through real-world experiences with the i-MiEV.
🛣️ EV Adoption: Increased sightings of EVs, like Teslas, in the area suggest a growing interest and acceptance of electric vehicles in the community.
🤝 Community Engagement: Rob’s willingness to engage with curious onlookers and share his EV experience contributes to educating and normalizing EV ownership.
🛡️ Durability and Performance: The i-MiEV’s longevity and capability challenge stereotypes about EVs being short-lived and impractical for daily use.
💡 Innovation: Features like the i-MiEV’s interior space optimization and driving dynamics showcase the innovation and adaptability of EV technology.
🔋 Charging Behavior: The convenience of charging while shopping not only enhances user experience but also dispels common misconceptions about EV charging requirements.
If you’re an Australian electric vehicle owner and would like to participate in this interview series by sharing your experience please contact me directly or add a comment below and let me know.
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