Mar 27, 2009

Mitsubishi Bets on Electrics

Mitsubishi Motors has always marched to the beat of a different drum, and the latest example of that is its zero-emission urban transport solution: the pure electric i-MiEV. Validation of its concept came recently when the car was named one of the top three finalists in the prestigious World Green Car of the Year competition.

Scheduled to go on sale in the Japanese market this summer and currently undergoing U.S. testing with Pacific Gas and Electric and Southern California Edison, the i-MiEV (pronounced “eye-meeve”) offers a combination of useful and surprisingly enjoyable performance in a package that has small physical and carbon footprints. Despite the car’s diminutive size, it features a roomy interior that accommodates four adults, and it has a range of upward of 100 miles from its advanced lithium-ion battery pack.

The lithium-ion battery pack comprises 22 modules, each consisting of four cells that can be installed in either a vertical or transverse position under the i-MiEV's floor. The high-performance batteries are manufactured by Lithium Energy Japan, a joint venture of GS Yuasa, Mitsubishi Corp. and Mitsubishi Motors. Among its flexible charging scenarios, one allows fast recharging, requiring just 30 minutes to reach 80 percent of battery capacity. Its onboard charger also conveniently handles 110V or 220V for at-home charging.