Mitsubishi offers Outlander PHEVs to SA

ADELAIDE-BASED Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) has made a pitch to the South Australian government to supply plug-in hybrid Outlander PHEVs to the state in line with a government plan to increase low-emission vehicles to 30 per cent of its fleet.

The SA government wants to increase the number of such vehicles – primarily electric or plug-in hybrid cars – from 161 to about 2000 over the next three years.

After Holden’s Elizabeth plant closes in 2017, Mitsubishi will be the last car company left with a significant presence in South Australia, making it a prime candidate for this fleet contract with the SA government.

The fleet upgrade is a part of the state government’s plan to achieve zero net emissions by 2050, and would help encourage other motorists to make switch to EVs and PHEVs.

Mitsubishi Motor Corporation (MMC) chairman of the board, president and CEO Osamu Masuko met with the SA government to discuss the possibility of Mistubishi EVs making up a portion of the government fleet.

“At MMC, we applaud the government of South Australia’s move toward a low-carbon economy and greener future,” he said.

“Mitsubishi Motors is a world leader in the development of advanced electric and plug-in hybrid automotive technologies, and we are ready to support the government’s move to increased energy efficiency through low-emission vehicles like the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.

“We also support government plans to increase the number of electric vehicle charging stations, which will encourage more South Australian drivers to make the switch to EVs and PHEVs.” SA premier Jay Weatherill said that the low-emission fleet was one step towards Adelaide becoming the world’s first carbon-neutral city.

“The purchase of around 2000 low-emission vehicles will also help drive innovation, investment and jobs in this growing industry,” he said.

“I was pleased to meet with Mr Masuko who expressed to me Mitsubishi’s shared interests in our ambitions to address climate change.” The SA government’s climate change strategy plan was released on November 29, 2015, and sets a framework for significantly reducing emissions in SA all the way until 2050.