Guilty as charged: UK police get iMiEV for urban policing

Starting next month, there will be some Mitsubishi i MiEVs in the UK that look a little different than the standard i MiEVs that are being tested on the roads there. The first law enforcement i MiEVs will arrive in the UK in November and will start serving daily duties in December. The West Midlands Police will be the first force to use the i MiEV and there might be some envious competing departments who wish they could get the all-electric city cars right away; Mitsubishi says that the EV was "an instant show stopper" at the National Police Show in September. With a top speed of about 80 mph and a range of 100 miles per charge, so don't expect i MiEV to be involved in any long-distance chases any time soon. Instead, this is an urban police vehicle and is well-suited for the task.

[Source: Mitsubishi]

PRESS RELEASE:

THE UK POLICE CHARGE AHEAD WITH MITSUBISHI MOTORS' ALL-ELECTRIC i MiEV CITY CAR

The all-electric i MiEV city car is now helping Police Forces across the UK to crack down on crime whilst cracking down on CO2 emissions.

The i MiEV in full police livery was showcased at the National Police Show in September, where it was an instant show stopper. Since then, Mitsubishi Motors has been inundated with requests from UK Police Forces to trial the i MiEV.

With a range of 100 miles and a top speed of 81mph, it is the ideal vehicle for urban policing. In addition, with the ability to carry four adult passengers and equipment in comfort, the i MiEV is a versatile community policing vehicle.

Managing Director, Lance Bradley, commented: "The i MiEVs have been in the UK on trial for almost a year now and we are delighted that Police Forces in the UK are able to see that the future of zero emissions driving requires no compromise."

The first full-production i MiEVs arrive in the UK in November 2009 and will be on the road in December 2009, with West Midlands Police being the first force to run the vehicle in full operational use.