Mitsubishi and Four Seasons Langkawi in Eco-Tourism collaboration
Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) and Langkawi’s Four Seasons Resort have announced a collaborative Electric Vehicle Eco-Tourism Pilot Demonstration programme which sees a unit of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric vehicle available free for use by the resort’s guests over the next two months.
Although MMM has no plans to sell the i-MiEV, this collaboration with Four Seasons is one of many activities that the company has lined up to boost awareness of the pros and cons associated with electric vehicle ownership. The unit that MMM is leaving behind in Langkawi is one of only two units that the company has brought in and registered with JPJ.
“Being the first to bring in a mass-produced Electric Vehicle to Malaysia to promote the awareness of zero-emission electric vehicles, MMM is also proud to play its part in promoting eco-tourism in Langkawi, one of Malaysia’s best-known holiday destinations,” said Mr. Tetsuya Oda, Chief Executive Officer of Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia.
There were some challenges in getting the i-MiEV registered for road use, and one of them is JPJ’s registration mechanism requiring manufacturers to declare the vehicle’s engine capacity in order to calculate road tax. With the i-MiEV not having an engine capacity in the traditional sense, the department has since worked out a new formula calculating road tax for fully electric cars based on their power outputs. According to MMM, the i-MiEV’s annual road tax bill adds up to RM10.
Speaking of costs, the i-MiEV has an estimated range of 150km measured based on the New European Driving Cycle. To fully charge a depleted i-MiEV from our 230V sockets at home takes 8 hours, and MMM’s calculations estimate the cost of energy used to charge the i-MiEV’s 330V lithium-ion battery in those 8 hours add up to less than RM3.50, not even enough to fry a plate of kuey teow these days.
The problem with electric vehicles, as we all know, is to ensure that you do not dry up your battery before reaching a plug point; and not to mention that you’ll need to have hours to spare at each charging station between drives. In practical terms, usage of a fully electric vehicle today is restricted to low mileage users, and if you’re using one to commute to work, it would be best if there are electric sockets in the vicinity of where you park.
This constraint makes Langkawi an excellent location to perform a pilot demo of the i-MiEV. The island’s small confines makes minimizes the likelihood of guests straying too far off to deplete the battery’s charge, but then again, there is always the possibility of inconsiderate guests hoarding the car all to themselves. Over the programme’s duration, usage of the i-MiEV by the resort’s guests are on a first-come-first-served basis.
Mr. Philippe Larrieu, Resort Manager of Four Seasons Resort said, “Four Seasons is proud to be the first partner of Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia in Langkawi to offer our guests the opportunity to test-drive and experience themselves the benefits of an electric car and make a choice towards a greener future. This fits perfectly into our philosophy of engaging in sustainable practices that conserve natural resources and reduce environmental impact.”
So, anyone heading to Four Seasons any time soon?
Pictures: Official MMM release.
