Mitsubishi i

Problems continue to mount for the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, with news that the Japanese automaker’s electric-powered sedan is being recalled due to a flaw with its braking system. The problem has been traced to an electrical pump that feeds air to the brake booster. Should the pump malfunction, it would take considerably more force on the brake pedal to bring the car to a stop, and stopping distances would subsequently be far greater than normal.

I liked a lot of things about the I-MiEV, but there’s a major range issue. After 31.3 miles of around-town driving, where electrics should be strongest, I was getting a blinking fuel gauge and three miles of range left. The car is supposed to have 62 miles of travel, says the EPA, and I’ve seen anecdotal evidence that some people have gotten that and more, but probably in California. Others, including some of PlugInCars.com's own testers, have seen similar results to mine.

For a car that looks like it came from outer space, the jellybean-shaped Mitsubishi “i” has gone almost unnoticed in the EV market. Sales have been low to the point of almost non-existence. Only 33 units found buyers for all of July. Sales in June were still tepid (at 366 units), even for a vehicle that’s targeting a niche segment of the automotive market. A safety recall for faulty airbag sensors and early lackluster performance at the annual Pike’s Peak hillclimb haven’t added luster to the i. Does the Mitsubishi stand a chance, or is the i only spinning its wheels in a rapidly evolving EV market?