Mitsubishi is first to offer an SUV in the plug-in hybrid petrol electric mode. The new Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is now on sale in Ireland, with an entry price of €41,950. That price includes a €5,000 grant and vehicle registration tax (VRT) relief.

The Outlander PHEV claims to have a sophisticated PHEV OS (Operating System) that provides efficient motoring with a robust and spacious SUV body that also comes with advanced safety protection including 4WD control.

The initial orders from this month will be available in two separate trim levels; the entry level Intense+ and the top-of-the-range Instyle. Both have A1 motor tax status or €170 per annum, while the Instyle version costs €5,500 more. The entry price for the diesel version of the Outlander is €39,950.

The price is also inclusive of batteries, which come with a 5 year warranty. Mitsubishi claims that the low running costs of the Outlander PHEV are a key advantage over traditional diesel versions. They claim that it costs just €1.20 to charge the car for a cruising range of 52km, giving a combined fuel economy figure of 1.9/100km.

Mitsubishi is offering a free home charging point installation for the first 2,000 electric car owners.

Mitsubishi claims that in addition to the low running costs for the Outlander PHEV, there are taxation savings too. Under the ACA (Accelerated Capital Allowances) scheme, operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), companies can write off 100% of the purchase value of “qualifying energy efficient equipment” including a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle against their profit in the year of purchase.

It uses 60kW Electric Motors located on the front and rear axles. This is combined with a 2.0 litre 121bhp MIVEC DOHC petrol engine. The twin electric motors are coupled to a 4WD system.

The new Outlander PHEV has a top speed of 170km/h and a claimed combined range of 824km. It comes with a 5-Star Euro NCAP Safety Rating.