Sunshine Coast Hinterland Times

i-MiEV blog

It’s the all-electric, feel-good effect WE ARE NOW nine months into our all-electric experience with the Mitsubishi i-MiEV. I remain very taken with this new auto technology, having had no problems or real challenges during this time. Once you become accustomed to staying within the car’s 120-30km range then there are no real hassles. The nightly [...]

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i-MiEV blog

Now the Electric Vehicle that parks itself ! WHILE THE federal government has chosen not to promote the EV market with tax breaks or purchase discounts, there are mild signs the state government is putting its toe in the water. I had a phone call recently from a government chappie who wondered if I would like to [...]

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i-MiEV blog

No Government support for Electric Vehicles! THE SALE of the first mass-produced, all-electric car in Australia – the Mitsubishi i-MiEV highlights how our federal government sends mixed messages when it comes to encouraging alternative energy sources. I will return to the government later but the i-MiEV has been on sale now for a couple of months priced [...]

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i-MiEV blog

FREE! charging station on the Sunshine Coast AS I HAVE said before, until lithium-ion batteries can take your electric vehicle (EV) for at least 250 km on a single charge, then we need charging stations up and down the state. So I was delighted recently to drive into the first EV charging station in Queensland – [...]

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i-MiEV blog

Lithium-ion – the battery with a powerful punch! NO … I haven’t traded in the i-MiEV for a bike! But I have been impressed by another practical use for the lithium- ion battery … bicycle power. The book- size battery pack sits over the rear wheel and provides anything up to 40 kms of assisted cycling. [...]

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i-MiEV blog www.hinterlandtimes.com.au

Don’t be a naysayer…! LAUNCH something new and it doesn’t take long for the naysayers to come out of the woodwork. Six months into our i-MiEV electric car experience and I am receiving regular “advice” that going electric was not the best zero emissions options, or the cheapest. I am told I should have gone for the [...]

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The wonderful world of technology …

THERE’S NOTHING more deeply satisfying than when a piece of technology works exactly how you want it to … like using your i-Phone to have a seafood pizza delivered while you’re watching the World Cup soccer final. On the other hand there’s nothing more deeply frustrating than when technology doesn’t work. Let me give you [...]

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No-Cost Solar Power Moves the i-MiEV

A RATHER BEERY OLD GUY wandered over to the i-MiEV while I was parked in Caloundra recently. He had a smirk on his face as he looked over the car. Then he folded his arms before opening his mouth, “So how are you enjoying your coal-fired car then?” I got his point and it’s been made [...]

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Please relieve the stress!

THE INEVITABLE HAPPENED during the past month – as I slowly worked my way up the Blackall Range in torrential rain, the i-MiEV was telling me I had run out of power. As you know, with your petrol car you can run to the nearest petrol station with an empty container and get enough fuel to [...]

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i-MiEV Blog : Go Electric … but don’t go too far!

THE FIRST MONTH with our new electric car brings good news and bad news. First, the good news. With petrol now pushing $1.50 a litre, I can’t help feeling that the i-MiEV is costing nothing to run. Well OK there is the roughly $3 it costs each time we plug into our carport to re-charge [...]

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