Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVs to expand Australia’s charging infrastructure

Mitsubishi Australia has provided a trio of Outlander plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) to Jet Charge to support installing charging infrastructure across the nation.

It represents an extended partnership with the EV charging equipment company which currently supplies AC charging cables for Mitsubishi PHEVs.

Jet Charge founder and chief executive Tim Washington said his team would benefit from the Outlander PHEV’s extended driving range compared to pure EVs and all-wheel drive capability.

In particular, the plug-in hybrid SUV fleet will support building EV charging sites in remote areas that experience harsh conditions. The initial three-strong fleet may grow in the future if the Outlander PHEV's unique attributes prove useful.

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The Outlander PHEV pairs a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with dual electric motors and a 20kWh gross lithium-ion battery pack.

This results in a claimed 84-kilometre electric range and 1.5L/100km fuel consumption in the combined ADR cycle. Real-world mileage will vary as digital editor Alex Inwood found out in his long-term test.

In addition the Outlander's V2x – vehicle-to-grid, vehicle-to-home, etc. – capabilities are unique in that, along with the battery its petrol motor can be used as a generator to extend its charging life.

This could provide unique advantages during low-light installs, or where power tools are needed to charge for the Jet Charge team which sells, installs and maintains EV charging equipment for homes, businesses and public charging providers in Australia.

It installed vehicle-to-grid (V2G) bidirectional charging units for Mitsubishi’s Adelaide headquarters earlier this year. The Australian company was established in 2013 and co-founded the Chargefox network in 2017.