Mitsubishi’s dealer network is likely to be one of the first in the UK to be able to service a fully electric mainstream model with the arrival of the electric i Miev supermini.

The launch is likely to be in 2010 with Mitsubishi aiming to have a specialist service network in place by then.

Only selected dealers – likely to be in major cities like London, Manchester and Sheffield – will sell the i Miev models. A total of 200 units have been allocated to the UK.

Mitsubishi’s i Miev will be the first all electric four- seater on sale in the UK available from a mainstream manufacturer.
Mini’s E and Smart’s ED will launch in 2012. Both are two-seaters.

The i Miev has an 80-mile range. UK customers will initially have to charge the i Miev through a standard household three-pin plug which will take six hours for an 80% charge from flat.