Trends New Zealand NZ New Home Trends Vol. 30/10 | Page 73

It’s one thing to commission a green home, but what about the vehicle the family uses? Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand has come up with a sustainable vehicle for the Durbins to trial – the Outlander Plug-In Hybrid in Mitsubishi’s flagship Titanium colourway. The Outlander Plug-In Hybrid is the world’s first plug-in hybrid SUV, which means the very latest technology is now available in the most popular vehicle type in New Zealand – an SUV. At $59,990 the car costs less than other hybrids, and it has a much larger range, and a highly competitive fuel economy of 1.9L/100km. The car plugs in and charges from a normal 10-amp household socket, which can be set on a timer to charge overnight to take advantage of off-peak rates. Unlike other hybrid cars, it does not require special charging facilities. A full charge costs just $1.41, meaning the average weekly Kiwi commute would cost just $7, or $280 for a year, compared to $1700 for petrol costs. The Outlander does not compromise on space or 4WD capability, and Mitsubishi Motors says it is not a gimmick – a record-breaking 41 units were sold in the month of April alone. Above left: Flag fuel costs for the future – the Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid SUV costs just $1.41 for a full charge, which is $7 for a weekly commute. Fuel for a full year is likely to average $280, compared to $1700 for petrol. Above: In this home the car is plugged into a 32-amp Juicepoint for a quick charge, which will be supplied entirely from the power generated by the Ideal House photovoltaic panels. search | save | share at trendsideas.com 71