The Mitsubishi i MiEV is a capable small car, and it has four seats.

ECONOMIST: Rational consumer

We drove Mitsubishi's i-MiEV EV around the Northwestern green mecca, stopping at some great PDX spots along the way, including the amazing Ground Kontrol arcade, Hand-Eye Supply and the hackerspace, Brain Silo.

ENGADGET: The Engadget Show 35: EVs in Portland, hacked bicycles and a Tesla Model S test drive

Of the nine electric cars so far confirmed as qualifying for the subsidy scheme, the three that will be available for delivery in January are the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, the Smart fortwo electric drive and the Peugeot iOn.

BBC: Nine electric cars will be eligible for subsidies

The I-MiEV and some Nissan Leafs will be equipped for this kind of fast charging, but the U.S. has yet to decide if it will develop its own standard, or embrace the Japanese form, which goes by the colorful name CHAdeMO.

FORBES: Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Nissan Electric Cars At LA Auto Show