Specifically, the Mitsubishi i earned an EPA-rated 126 MPGe in city driving and 99 MPGe out on the highway (112 MPGe combined), as well as a "real world" driving range of 62 miles.
“The "real world" EPA driving evaluation incorporates battery-sapping segments of aggressive driving and operating the vehicle in higher ambient temperatures with the air conditioning on,” Mitsubishi explains.
Additionally, the EPA has rated the vehicle's LA4 driving cycle range at 98 miles. The EPA LA4 driving cycle test covers a distance of approximately 7.5 miles and includes numerous brief stops along the route to mimic in-town driving and its accompanying start/stops for traffic signals. Mitsubishi has worked to improve the driving range of the 2012 Mitsubishi i: the 98 mile range is attributed to software upgrades and a revamped regenerative braking system.
"We feel that with the combination of capability, affordability, and high level of efficiency offered by the 2012 Mitsubishi i will prove very appealing to consumers considering EV transportation," said Yoichi Yokozawa, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors North America.
With a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $27,990 for the base ES model before a federal tax credit of $7,500 and various state financial incentives (subject to availability of funding), the Mitsubishi i is the most affordably-priced mass-produced electric vehicle available in the United States.
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