Mia Microbus to star at EcoVelocity

The mia electric car brand will showcase three variants of its zero-emission Microbus model at the EcoVelocity motor show in London this September.

The event at Battersea Power Station will mark the first time the machines have been seen in the UK. The standard short-wheelbase model will be joined by two extended versions, the mia L and the mia box van.

All three vehicles are powered by an 18kW electric motor that gives a top speed of 68mph. A 12kWh battery pack comes as standard, giving a range of about 80 miles. The lithium iron phosphate batteries can be fully charged in five hours.

The cars were first displayed at the Geneva motor show in 2010, after which mia received 3000 orders. The Microbus went into production at mia's factory in Cerizay, western France in June. The company plans to produce 4000 vehicles this year, but wants to increase it to 14,000 examples by the end of 2012.

Richard Deslandes, head of UK sales said: “The mia has been designed with cities such as London firmly in mind and we consider the UK as a priority market for us [alongside France and Germany]."

The mia has a central driving position with the passengers sitting at the back. The standard mia has three seats in total, while the extended mia L has four, the mia box van has a cargo capacity of 1500 litres instead of rear seats.

The mia will be priced from £22,000 after the government’s £5000 subsidy is factored in. All the variations will be exempt from London’s congestion charge. The car and battery also come with a three-year warranty.