The Outlander PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle), which is set for launch this month, will be the first plug-in hybrid vehicle available for Irish motorists. With the PHEV operating system the Outlander PHEV will provide clean, efficient performance in a robust and spacious SUV body with advanced safety protection including 4WD control. Mitsubishi Motors Ireland has also announced the launch price of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. For initial orders delivered to customers from June 2014, there will be two separate trim levels available; the entry level Intense+ and the top-of-the-range Instyle.

Model  Version CO2 Emissions Tax Band Retail 
Outlander PHEV Intense+ 44 g/km A1 / €170 €41,950
Outlander PHEV Instyle 44 g/km A1 / €170 €47,450
The retail price includes the €5,000 SEAI grant and Government VRT relief for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (currently in place until 31 December 2014). The price is also inclusive of batteries. This compares favourably with the equivalent diesel version in the current Outlander line-up that retails at €39,950. The ultra-low running costs of the Outlander PHEV are a key advantage over traditional petrol and diesel cars, with ownership benefits including:
  • €1.20 to charge the electric drive battery at home for a cruising range of 52km (based on Electric Ireland ValueSaver NightSaver price plan as of 7 May 2014);
  • 1.9 l/100km combined fuel economy;
  • Five-year battery warranty;
  • Low service and maintenance costs;
  • Second-lowest road tax bracket – Tax Band A1 for CO2 Emissions of less than 80g/km;
  • Zero exhaust emissions in EV mode – cleaner for the environment;
  • Free home charging point installation for the first 2,000 electric car owners.
ACCELERATED CAPITAL ALLOWANCE For small business owners, as well as more extensive commercial fleets, the benefits of the Outlander PHEV – such as reduced fuel, emission and running costs – are obvious. In addition, under the ACA (Accelerated Capital Allowances) scheme, operated by the SEAI, companies can write off 100% of the purchase value of “qualifying energy efficient equipment” including a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle against their profit in the year of purchase. See www.seai.ie for full details. A high level of equipment and safety features will come as standard on the Outlander PHEV but at the heart of everything is the PHEV operating system that incorporates three different drive modes: 1. EV Drive Mode EV Drive Mode is an all-electric mode in which the front and rear motors drive the vehicle using only electricity from the drive battery. 2. Series Hybrid Mode In Series Hybrid Mode, the car is still powered by the front and rear motors. The petrol engine operates as a generator supplying electricity to the electric motors. 3. Parallel Hybrid Mode The system switches to Parallel Hybrid Mode when the vehicle reaches consistently high speeds. In this mode, the high-efficiency petrol engine provides most of the motive power, assisted by the electric motors as required. The system bias is to switch back to the EV Drive Mode or Series Hybrid Modes as often and as soon as possible. In terms of EV functions, the Outlander PHEV features:
  • Regenerative braking, activated either when lifting off the accelerator pedal or when braking. Six levels of regeneration available through driver selection increases the level of regeneration;
  • Battery-charge mode for on-the-go battery charge function. The driver-activated function provides 80% charge in c.40 minutes;
  • Battery-save mode allows for driver-selected function to save existing battery charge level, with the option to drive in EV mode later;
  • Acoustic vehicle alerting system to warn pedestrians of approaching vehicle below 35 km/h;
  • On-board recharging system with cable (flat-to-full in 4.5-hours); and
  • On-board rapid charging system (flat-to-80% full in 30 minutes).