UK expansion for French EV maker Mia

French EV specialist Mia Electric has ventured off the European mainland – just – with the launch of its city-car and commercial range in the UK.

The company’s expansion across the Channel comes with changes to the rules behind London’s Congestion Charge which, from July, will tighten the exemption threshold to 75g/km CO2 – an emissions figure sufficient to exclude virtually any vehicles not propelled at least in part by electric motors.

By the relatively new Mia Electric’s reckoning, this will help crack open a market for the kind of ultra-compact city vehicle in which it specialises.

The company pulled the wraps off its first prototype at the Paris motor show in 2008 before going into production in 2011. To date, it has targeted business and fleet operators with what, even in high-spec form, still amounts to fairly basic transport better suited to back-to-base and delivery work than private consumer needs.

The company spins four variants off its platform, designed from a clean sheet for short- to medium-haul urban traffic. The base Mia seats three in a similar triangular layout to McLaren’s original F1 road car. The centrally positioned driver’s seat gives the two passengers flanking it almost limo-like legroom while opening up 260 litres of cargo space in a body just 2.87 metres long.

A width of just 1.64 metres and sliding doors on both sides allow for parking, entry and exit in spots that would immediately exclude virtually any other car.

The car is powered by a 9.7kW electric motor giving it a top speed of 100km/h. Kerb weight depends on battery option – with the base 8kWh lithium-ion phosphate power pack, the Mia weighs 764kg; the 12kWh extended pack bumps it up to 815kg. Mia claims a range of up to 120km from the base pack.

For those after an extra seat and more cargo space, the Mia L replaces the individual rear buckets with a three-seat bench. An extra 320mm of wheelbase gives the middle passenger some legroom and expands boot space to 420 litres. The extra length and seat add just 35kg.

The same LWB is also available as a single- or two-seat commercial delivery van with up to 1500 litres of cargo space.

Optional extras like a load retention ladder, rolling side panel and PVC floor mat allow owners to customise the vehicle to its work requirements. An optional comfort pack also adds auxiliary heating, two 12-volt power sockets, storage trays and nets and “follow me home” headlights that stay on for a period after occupants leave and lock the car.

The full accessory kit, extending to roof rails and tinted glass, comes together in the limited-edition top-spec BlueStar, which Mia is promoting to its customer base as a brand-builder and attention grabber.

Vaguely reminiscent of Fiat’s flat-fronted early 600 models, the car is promoted as much on its cute value as its practicality.

For British buyers, the Mia Electric range starts from around $28K (£16,995) including the UK Government’s Plug-In Car Grant but excluding on-roads and five per cent VAT.

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