As fully functioning Mitsubishi EV Sales Centres, the dealerships have to fulfill a number of commitments including:

• To have two sales personnel who are fully trained sales personnel in the i-MiEV and also have a broader understanding of future Mitsubishi pure EV and plug-in hybrid technologies.

• To offer demonstrator vehicles that will be available for potential customers to properly test and experience what it is like to drive and "own" an electric vehicle in real-life conditions. 

• To run a fully functioning charging bay.

• After-sales departments will also comply with compulsory manufacturer training and will have specialist tools to enable the service and maintenance of electric vehicles. 

There are a total of 13 authorised EV Sales Centres including the Mitsubishi Electric Vehicle Centre in London, with the others comprising Phoenix Mitsubishi Edinburgh, Motor Wey Putney, Manchester Mitsubishi, Hodgson Mitsubishi, Souls Mitsubishi in the East Midlands, Fields Mitsubishi in the West Midlands, Fife Mitsubishi, Livery Dole in the South West, Tees Valley in the North East, K & R Mitsubishi in the South West, Donnelly Brothers in Northern Ireland, and Eastbourne Mitsubishi in the South East.

Lance Bradley, UK Managing Director of Mitsubishi Motors, said: 'This is a really exciting time for Mitsubishi Motors and having the first mass produced fully electric vehicle in the UK market puts us at the forefront of a new era in the automotive industry. The Pure EV is now a reality. We are more than confident that our carefully selected 13 Mitsubishi EV Centres will provide excellent service and be able to offer the best advice to our retail and fleet customers.'

The i-MiEV is on sale now priced at £23,990 for orders placed for delivery from January 2011 including the Government's Plugged-In Car Grant (P-ICG) of £5,000. 

It is also available on a 48-month non-maintained contract hire package from Mitsubishi Contract Motoring for a monthly rental of £399.