Report: Mitsubishi targeting sub-$30k MSRP for U.S. i-MiEV EV

When Mitsubishi launched the production version of the i-MiEV electric car in Japan last year, it came in at a frighteningly high price – almost $50,000 before tax incentives. That's a lot of coin for a small car with a limited range, but Mitsubishi has said repeatedly that it wants to bring the home-market price down to about $22,000 by 2012.

Before that happens, the i-MiEV is due to arrive in the U.S. market in 2011 and Nissan has already moved aggressively to price the Leaf at under $33,000. With that in mind, Mitsubishi is aiming for a sticker price of under $30,000 for its EV before the $7,500 federal tax credit. The real world range of the i-MiEV is likely to be as low as 50-60 miles, with no range extension capability. And for such a low range, the diminutive EV will need an appropriate price to get any traction in the market.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]