Got a picture of your home-built EV?
Oh you bet I'm having a blast! Its like no other car I have ever owned, I like it a lot and its starting to grow on my friends, family and coworkers! I'm kind of an EVangelist of sort in my social circle, slowly they'll see the light! Same as you, I have been picking it for all my commutes lately, its also very comfortable, has navigation, Bluetooth for listening to podcasts and taking phone calls and just gets all kinds of attention from the public. My poor little Echo hasn't been driven in 6 days, basically since the I-MiEV arrived! lol Come winter time, the Echo will go into service full time. I don't want to put my like-new EV through Chicago salty harsh winters.
I will have to follow up with one then! Thanks!
Ha thanks! You already know how excited and determined I was to get a 2015 Mirage ES with a 5 SMT. Then I stumbled upon the I-MiEV and shortly there after I went for it. My parents, siblings and friends were not thrilled and discouraged me from getting it but now that I have it, they really like it. I love it too, EVs are really cool. The I-MiEV meets all my daily commuting needs and I still come home with more than half a tank left! This first wave of mass produced EVs are good, but the next second wave of EVs can only bring longer range and more refined amenities. The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt is suppose to have a range of 200 miles! I really hope Mitsubishi has an ace up its sleeve with the next generation I-MiEV, possibly the CA-MiEV!
I will keep you in mind Doax and update this discussion. Its hard not to share! If you're still in the market, I say go for it when you find one you like.
I couldn't wait for the next round of EVs, I just had to have one now, while I'm alive and have the opportunity. The range of the i-MiEV is actually very usable as long as it meets your range needs. It fits mine that's for sure and I don't regret the purchase. Just yesterday before I left for work, I unplugged the charging cable and the range remaining meter read 95 miles! I've been 'hypermiling' it using Eco drive mode and regenerative braking whenever possible which has made this possible.
According to some articles I read online, studies show the average American commutes around 40 miles daily. I'll have to dig up the source later. Honestly, I think the I-MiEV would fit most people's daily needs just fine. We tend to want more power, more range, more of everything when we don't even need it! This sort of reminds me of the new Mirage. The Mirage offers a lot yet is 'simple, inexpensive and reliable transportation' yet someone will always say "if it only had this or that then I'd consider it..." With all the satisfied owners on this forum going against the status quo, I feel the same way about current EVs. Some owners use them as their second cars and others have realized, "hey wait a minute, this EV can be my first and only car after all!" In rare cases, they may rent an ICE for long distance travels.