Mitsubishi’s i Miev city car has been a success in Japan but has proved slightly less popular in the UK – perhaps not helped by Mitsubishi’s decision to only import 300 of the blighters in 2007, the car’s UK launch year.

If you aren’t familiar with the i Miev (and I wasn’t), it’s a small thing that looks a bit like a 4-door Smart car. The current model has a 600cc turbo-charged petrol engine – just like a Smart car (sorry, I couldn’t find a copyright-free photo).

What makes it interesting to us van users are two things:

1. Mitsubishi are soon to launch a small van version
2. Mitsubishi are soon to launch an all-electric version, designed for low-mileage urban use

Sounds tasty, says you. Where can I get one?

Well, first of all, soon means 2010 for the electric launch and 2011 for the UK van import.

Then there’s the availability (assuming they take off). Mitsubishi UK are expecting to sell 2,000-3,000 of the all-electric model in the UK, according to Car Magazine, but production volumes could be limited initially if battery production can’t keep up.

If you’re still attracted – and for a modern, city-based business in need of a small van they will make sense – then zero-emission heaven can be yours for around £12,000 – about £3,000 more than the current petrol model.

As I mentioned last week, the UK government is putting serious money on the table to encourage the development of low-emission commercial vehicles, especially vans. The arrival of the i Miev van could be perfectly-timed for an upswing in demand.

We live in interesting times…