Official

Plug In America declares 100,000th sold in US an i-MiEV in Alabama

In a booming auto market, where the US is on track to sell upwards of 15 million new cars this year, moving 100,000 over two-and-a-half years sure sounds like the proverbial drop in the bucket. But, when all of those 100,000 cars come with a plug, something that hasn't been commonly seen in a hundred years, then it's worth celebrating. And that's just what Plug In America is doing.

"It will be a historic charge station" - Rich Salmon

PIA said today that, according to its estimates, a Mitsubishi i bought in Alabama was "approximately" the 100,000th plug-in vehicle sold in the US since the re-introduction of the technology in late 2010 when the Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf came on the scene. The buyer was Rich Salmon of Grand Bay, AL, who was not only named the 100,000th new owner but also won himself a ClipperCreek Level 2 charging station (oh-so-proudly made in the US) plus $300 to use for its installation. In a statement, Salmon said he took the i-MiEV for a test drive and "It was a loaded model and I liked it, so I bought it." Later, while searching for a level-two charger, "I ran across Plug In America's contest and decided to enter. I had ordered a ClipperCreek LCS-25 because it seemed to be one of the most recommended chargers, but I never figured I would win one. Now, it will be a historic charge station."

PIA ran the contest in May and June of this year and the group's running calculator figures that over 114,000 new, highway-capable plug-in vehicles have been sold in the US. For more details, you can read our monthly green car sales write-up for June, where you'll see that the Volt, Leaf and Tesla Model S lead the pack in EV sales.
Show full PR text
THE WINNER IS.....ALABAMA
Alabama iMiEV Owner Wins Plug In America's #PIA100K Contest Commemorating 100,000th EV Sold

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., JULY 9, 2013 -- Rich Salmon of Grand Bay, AL, has won Plug In America's #PIA100K contest commemorating the 100,000th plug-in vehicle sold since introduction of the latest generation of highway-capable plug-in vehicles more than two years ago. Plug In America awarded Salmon a new ClipperCreek Level 2 charging station plus $300 toward its installation, both generously donated by ClipperCreek. Salmon was selected to represent the approximate buyer of the 100,000th EV with his recent purchase of a Mitsubishi iMiEV.

"I took the iMiEV for a test drive. It was a loaded model and I liked it, so I bought it," said Salmon, drawn to an EV's lack of a tail pipe. "While searching for a level-two charger, I ran across Plug In America's contest and decided to enter. I had ordered a ClipperCreek LCS-25 because it seemed to be one of the most recommended chargers, but I never figured I would win one. Now, it will be a historic charge station."

The #PIA100K contest was open to anyone who took delivery of a qualifying new plug-in hybrid or battery electric vehicle between May 15th and June 15th, 2013. That's the date range that Plug In America estimated the 100,000th plug-in would be sold, based on recent company sales data. The nonprofit launched a counter on its website that continues to track EV sales, now at more than 114,000.

"Alabama is a great place to drive an EV and we're thrilled that our winner lives in the state," said Plug In America board president Richard Kelly. He pointed out that for only $2.25, Salmon could drive 166 miles in his iMiEV on homegrown renewable electricity generated from biomass, solar, wind and landfill methane, thanks to Alabama Power's Renewable Energy Rate program. "By using clean electricity, Rich can save $22.75 compared to traveling the same distance using gasoline. He's a plug-in pioneer and we know he'll put his new charge station to good use."

Yoichi Yokozawa, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., congratulated Salmon on winning Plug In America's #PIA100K contest. "We'd also like to thank him for buying our all-electric Mitsubishi i-MiEV. With more than 30,000 i-MiEVs and their related vehicles logging countless safe and trouble-free miles on the roads in such dynamic locales as Southeast Asia, Europe, Japan and North America, Mr. Salmon is in good company."

About Plug In America: Plug In America is the preeminent advocacy organization advancing the plug-in vehicle market. The nonprofit organization works to accelerate the shift to plug-in vehicles powered by clean, affordable, domestic electricity to reduce our nation's dependence on petroleum and improve the global environment. For more information: http://www.pluginamerica.org.

Mitsubishi i-MiEV Information

Share This Photo X