According to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language found online, a “kludge” is a “clumsy or inelegant solution to a problem.”  In terms of the auto industry, there are those who would say this describes the hybrid.  Perhaps a tad harsh, this accusation does say something about the future of the auto industry: that hybrids are a transitional technology and the future does most likely lie in EVs, as most countries work to lessen their dependence on petrochemicals and keep an eye on their carbon footprint.  For those of this mindset, 2010 is shaping up to be an interesting year as several EVs hit the U.S. market for the first time, meaning both the New Yorks and Chicagos as well as that local Bloomington car dealership.  The Nissan LEAF, the Chevy Volt, and the Mitsubishi i-MiEV will all be available. 

In fact, Bloomington, IL, car dealers have already reported substantial interest in the LEAF, as measured by its pre-sale numbers.  Perhaps as a response to this (since the LEAF is priced at over $30,000), Mitsubishi has recently announced a $6,700 reduction to the i-MiEV, which will now come to the United States with a price tag below $30,000 (keep in mind, neither of these prices reflect the final cost, given the federal tax credit for fuel-efficient vehicles that falls under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act).  This “one-upmanship” by Mitsubishi, or whatever you want to call it, seems to suggest competitive pricing and technology innovations ahead, all good things for everyone, including that Bloomington car dealership.

For those not familiar with the i-MiEV, as it seems the least known out of the three EVs, it is based on the gasoline-driven 660cc “i” mini-car.  It is a small, lightweight four-seater that can reach a top speed of over 80 mph and requires right around 7 hours to recharge on a 220v system (the LEAF requires 8 hours with a 220v system).  The i-MiEV can be driven either in Drive or Eco mode; in the latter the power output drops from 63 hp down to 43 hp, extending your cruising range.  The i-MiEV can go 95-100+ miles on a single charge in ideal conditions, and as for its footprint, even with the CO2 emissions power plants generate for the vehicle’s charging, the i-MiEV still emits only 30% the CO2 of a gas mini-car.

So whether the LEAF, the Volt, or the i-MiEV proves to be the best buy of the EV bunch, it would appear the New York, Chicago, and Bloomington, IL, car dealers are the winners in all of this as the next progressive, competitive step in the auto industry is taken.