A new electric vehicle brand, Mia Electric, is set to hit UK shores next month when it showcases three variants of its innovative Microbus at this year’s EcoVelocity motor show (8th – 11th September).
Having been one of the highlights at last year’s Geneva Motor Show, this will be the first time these cars have been seen in the UK and the first opportunity for the general public to get behind the wheel and experience Mia’s zero-emission urban mobility for themselves.
The Mia Electric, which go on sale in the UK in the first quarter of 2012, was designed by the former head of design at Volkswagen, Murat Günak, and come in three configurations – the standard short wheelbase model and two extended models, the Mia L and the Mia box van.
Thanks to its light-weight design concept, the standard model weighs only 750kg (extended models weighs 759kg) giving it extremely economical power consumption and low running costs (approx £1.30 per 100 kms).
All three vehicles are powered by an 18kW electric motor at the rear of the car that gives a top speed of 68 mph (110km/h). A 120 to 130km range is available from the 12 kWh battery pack that comes as standard and the lithium iron phosphate batteries can be fully charged in five hours. This technically sound battery system is exceptionally safe and helps alleviate range anxiety by allowing “no memory effect” charging. This means the battery can be charged for short top-up periods with absolutely no adverse effect to the life of the battery. (e.g. a ten minute charge will give an extra 6km of range).
The standard short wheelbase Mia has three seats in total, while the extended Mia L has four. Instead of three back seats, as in the Mia L, the Mia box van features a cargo capacity of 1,500 litres.
The most conspicuous feature of all three variants of the Mia is the central driving position which allows the driver to get in and out of the car on both sides. This seat arrangement provides the driver with a perfect view of the city traffic and the passengers at the back with plenty of legroom. It also gives the cabin a unique office-style layout that features a display with space to mount a tablet computer and iPod.
The purchase price of the cars at £22,000 (after the Government’s £5,000 incentive subsidy) and all variants will be exempt from the congestion charge in London. The car and batteries come with three year warranties, with the option to purchase up to five years.
