Electric cars will be exempt from road user charges for four years, the Government said today as it moved to encourage people to use them.

Transport Minister Steven Joyce said light electric vehicles -- those weighing up to 3.5 tonnes -- were currently classed as diesel vehicles for the purpose of road user charges which meant they paid 3.6 cents to 4c per kilometre.

As Mitsubishi’s i MiEV all-electric car lines up to go into service with business fleets in Japan within the next few weeks, the company says it predicts electric vehicles will make up at least 20% of its production by 2020.

By the same year, it’s set to cut carbon dioxide emissions from its global vehicle line-up by a weighted average of 20% over 2005 levels.

- Delivery to corporate, governmental and local authority users starts late July - - Sales to individuals to start April 2010 -

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation today, on World Environment Day, unveiled the production version of the i-MiEV *1 *2 new-generation electric vehicle (EV), describing it as “the pioneer that will open the door to the next 100 years of our automobile society.” The i-MiEV will go on sale on the Japanese market in late July of this year.

While New Zealand hosts one of the world’s first trials of Mitsubishi’s brand new iMiEV, a sportier prototype of the zero-emission car makes its debut at the 79th Geneva International Motor Show (March 3-15).

The iMiEV Sport Air shows what the next generation of electric vehicles might look and feel like, offering a playful edge to the EV experience with a removable cutaway top and an engine 28% more powerful and with 28% more torque for an exhilarating drive.

Some people might be wondering why state-owned Meridian Energy, a company whose core business is generating and selling electricity, is involving itself in a trial for an electric car.

The trial had its origins in Project Hillary, a research programme the company launched to identify new customer experiences for its core product, electricity. By 2005, Project Hillary was focused on electric vehicle technology, which had advanced to a point where several car makers were close to commercial production of commuter vehicles that might be ideal for our cities.

I drove the future of motoring yesterday and it made virtually no noise. Meridian Energy and Mitsubishi have been showcasing the Mitsubishi iMiEV electric car in New Zealand's main cities over the last fortnight, and I was lucky enough to take it for a test drive. The overwhelming impression of the iMiEV? It's incredibly quiet so quiet, you barely know the motor is running.

Sure, it has an unpronounceable name, but I wasn't going to let that stop me; plus I was told I had to drive the Mitsubishi i MiEV to fully understand the "joy and excitement" of an electric car.

The first feeling was definitely apprehension. There was no key to put in the ignition and no sound absolutely nothing to indicate the motor was running.

The future of fully electric cars has come a step closer after two motoring giants introduced their development models with each camp touting theirs as the superior model.

However, the Automobile Association has advised that neither model has yet gained a safety rating, a crucial requirement if they are to be driven on New Zealand roads.

Environment and Climate Change Issues Minister Nick Smith today welcomed the announcement that electric cars would be commercially available in New Zealand.

This is the beginning of an exciting energy revolution as significant as the economic transformation from the steam engine to the internal combustion engine more than a century ago. I congratulate Hyundai and Mitsubishi for their announcements today.

Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand and Meridian Energy today launched a trial of the first mass produced new generation electric vehicle to come to New Zealand - the revolutionary Mitsubishi i MiEV.

Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand chief executive John Leighton says Meridian is an ideal partner for the i MiEV project because the power company produces renewable energy and has a strong focus and commitment to sustainability.

While most EVs have few direct emissions they rely on energy created through electric generation. New Zealand is globally renowned for protecting its environment. Meridian Energy has committed to generating from only renewable energy sources to reduce New Zealand’s reliance on CO₂-producing fossil fuels.

The lithium-ion battery powered electric KillaCycle, ridden by Scotty Pollacheck, hit a new Nation Electric Drag Racing (NEDRA) record at Bandimere Speedway (Morrison, CO) on 23 October, with 7.890 seconds (167.99 mph) for the run.

San Jose, California: Penetration of battery technologies in developing countries, together with the spiralling popularity of consumer electronic devices, mobile communication equipment, medical applications and personal computers/laptops are expected to help lithium-based batteries scale new heights.

From standardising the type of plug to reducing the charging time of an electric car, auto engineers face many challenges.

In Europe alone, $49 billion will need to be invested in the vehicle technology, with an additional $21 billion for battery-charging infrastructure, BCG estimated.

A BEV is all that's needed for 90 percent of the weekly errands for most urban/suburban families.

The approval process for V2G electric vehicles is similar to the process used to certify solar photovoltaic systems.