MUNICH, Germany — Mitsubishi has started test runs of its first electrically-driven vehicle, the MiEV. The car will first be available to dealers in Spain, the Netherlands and the UK; other European markets will follow during the year.

According to media releases here, power utilities, regional authorities and companies operating large fleets of vehicles already had the opportunity to test the environment-friendly vehicle; now twelve units cars are delivered to vehicle importers and dealers in order to generate customer feedback.

The MiEV (Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle) is equipped with a permanently magnetized synchronous motor which drives the 1080 kilogram not-so-light vehicle with the power of 47 kilowatts. Maximum speed is said to reach 130 km/h; the lithium ion batteries can be charged within 25 minutes and offer a driving range of up to 144 km.