MITSUBISHI EK X: THE EV WE NEED, BUT PROBABLY WON'T GET

EV Channels Review

The Mitsubishi eK X EV, referred to as the 'Run' by the reviewer, is presented as the ideal affordable, compact city EV that Australia desperately needs. The reviewer praises its small size, efficiency, and surprisingly good safety credentials, citing a 5-star JNCP rating. However, the core of the review focuses on why this vehicle is unlikely to be sold in Australia. The primary obstacle identified is ANCAP's safety rating system, which mandates the inclusion of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). The reviewer argues that these systems are often poorly implemented, overly intrusive, and do not demonstrably improve safety, instead making driving more distracting and annoying. The cost of adding these mandated ADAS features would inflate the eK X's price significantly, rendering it uncompetitive. The reviewer criticizes ANCAP for its perceived misuse of public funds and its reliance on overseas testing, ultimately concluding that the current safety rating system hinders the introduction of genuinely useful and affordable EVs like the eK X.