The Outlander PHEV- the worlds first production Plug-in Hybrid SUV and forerunner of the wider PHEV range- has been embraced in phenomenal numbers throughout Europe since its introduction in October 2013.
It was first launched in selected markets (The Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Switzerland) and, in that time, has racked up an impressive 12,000 orders with 8,197 deliveries already having been made by the end of 2013. The Netherlands, in particular- have adopted the vehicle in huge numbers thanks- in part- to a tax scheme favourable to eco-friendly technologies.
With any luck similar tax schemes could be considered in the UK when the vehicle is introduced later this year but regardless, the incredible benefits available on the Outlander PHEV are clear. Buyers will enjoy a £5,000 plug-in grant, road tax exemption, 148mpg and- thanks to Co2 emissions of just 44g/km- early indications suggest company car drivers will pay just 5% benefit-in-kind (even more impressive when compared against the cleanest Nissan Qashqai at 14%).
With statistics like that it is unsurprising Mitsubishi Motors Corporation estimate global production volume of the PHEV to reach 30,000 units by the end of March 2014- with Europe its largest market. Here's hoping their success in the Netherlands can be repeated in the UK! We'll keep you posted.
