Is this Australia’s first $30K electric car? Mitsubishi eK X EV could be here before the end of 2024 to undercut BYD Dolphin
Mitsubishi Australia is positioning itself to undercut the likes of BYD, GMW, BYD and the incoming Hyundai Casper SUV by introducing its pint-sized Mitsubishi eK X electric car that’s almost certain to become Australia’s most affordable EV.
According to carsales, following successful trials of the tiny Mitsubishi eK X electric micro van Down Under, Mitsubishi is planning to price its EV from between $30,000 and $35,000 (plus on-road costs.)
At that price, the eK X electric car will cost considerably less than the $38,890 (plus on-roads) charged for the BYD Dolphin.
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EV Recently, a single eK X EV was imported to gauge interest from public and media.
Originally, it was reported that Mitsubishi was reluctant to import any vehicle that meets the Japanese kei rules over fears it would not achieve a full five-star ANCAP rating and that without that it would scare off fleet buyers but now Mitsubishi Motors Australia CEO, Shaun Westcott, says this is not the case.
“This is a bigger discussion. I’m not anti-ANCAP, but the reality is that car meets Japanese safety regulations, but it does not meet ANCAP five-star.
“We would probably get a three-star rating under ANCAP.”
It’s not the first time Mitsubishi has experimented with introducing a kei cars (that have to measure less than 3.4m long, 1.48m wider and stand 2.0m tall) Down Under.
Back in 2013 the all-electric Mitsubishi i-MiEV was brought in but quietly discontinued after just three years on sale. According to the car-maker current boss lessons were learned.
“We brought the i-MiEV to market and no-one wanted it. We lost money. The reality is we have a job in telling consumers about the benefits,” Westcott admitted.
Now, instead of having to sell the virtues of all-electric power the car-maker will have to convince Aussie buyers that a three-star performance in ANCAP offers adequate protection.
Helping with the business case to import the three-star EK X electric microvan is the evidence that the MG3 hatch is currently unrated by ANCAP but remains Australia’s best-selling light car.
The considerably more expensive Hyundai i20 N also still sold well after its ANCAP rating expired after six years.
Despite being primed to green light the little kei car, in the near future Mitsubishi Australia says a five-star rating still remains non-negotiable when it comes to high-volume models like the ASX.
“We have brought a [eK X] car to Australia and we are taking the pulse of society. We have a very close collaboration with our parent company, we are talking to them. Whether it’s this generation or the next generation, I personally believe that there’s an opportunity for that car,” said Westcott.
No timeline has been given for when the Mitsubishi eK X will hit Australian dealerships but if green lit the car-maker’s local CEO said that it could be imported “right now” suggesting the cut-price EV could be here before the end of the year.
