Mitsubishi iMiEV
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January 8, 2009 - According to unconfirmed reports from Japanese news sources, Mitsubishi Motors will begin supplying electric cars to PSA/Peugeot-Citroen Group as early as next year. Japan's fifth-largest carmaker could supply as many as 10,000 Mitsubishi i-MiEV passenger electric cars a year to the French automaker by 2011 on an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) basis.
But is the i-MiEV ready for the prime-time mass market? Pretty darn close, based on our recent test-drive in a prototype of the company's battery-powered subcompact. Its clever design, attention to detail, and a solid powertrain could make electric driving as routine as picking up the kids.
Photos by John Voelcker/HybridCars.com. All rights reserved.
Interior
The car was the i-MiEV, a “production intent” prototype of the car Mitsubishi plans to sell in Japan later this year. The company let journalists drive the car a few weeks ago during the Electric Drive Transportation Association’s annual conference in Washington, D.C. It is adapted from a Japanese kei car, a special class of cars largely restricted to Japan with limited dimensions (3.4 m long, 2 m high, 1.5 m wide), engine size (0.66 liter), and power (63 horsepower), in exchange for local parking and tax benefits.
Though tiny by US standards, the i-MiEV’s egg-shaped five-door body makes it appear larger than it is. The “i” model on which it’s based gets kudos for the interior room it manages to pack into the standard kei dimensions. The gasoline car’s “rear midship” engine sits on its side under the rear seat, giving the “i” the longest cabin in its class, with space freed up at the front for passengers.
Four decent-sized adults fit adequately—if not extravagantly—into the i-MiEV, and a 6-foot-tall passenger in the rear seat had easily 3 or 4 inches of headroom above him. Though few of us wanted to drive cross-country in it, the i-MiEV seemed almost as spacious as a Honda Fit—and carried four people far better than a Mini Cooper. The most noticeable constraint, in fact, was the tight shoulder room—the i-MiEV is more than a foot narrower than the Mini.
Performance
The electric version replaces the “i” engine, transmission, and fuel tank with a 16-kilowatt-hour lithium ion battery pack, a 47-kilowatt motor producing 133 foot-pounds of torque, an inverter, and the car’s power electronics. Claimed maximum speed is 81 mph, with a range of roughly 100 miles on the Japanese test cycle, and 75 miles on the US cycle.
On the road, carrying four adults, the car hardly leapt off the line when the light changed. But it kept up with traffic, and like any EV, power delivery was smooth and linear. The tiny car rode well, though firmly, crashing somewhat over cracks and joints in the streets. With a very short turning circle and a center of gravity lower than the gas equivalent—due to the low-mounted battery pack—the i-MiEV handled perfectly for quick urban cut-and-thrust driving.
The car offers three driving modes: Standard, Eco, and “B”. The Eco mode limits the engine’s output to 18 kilowatts (one third of peak power), to increase the range of a single charge—and the decline in performance was substantial. “B” mode added more regenerative braking on downhill stretches and when the car is coasting, to recharge the pack more aggressively. In that mode, the regeneration felt “grabby,” and far less smooth than, for example, the highly praised new system in the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. Unfortunately, the infotainment screen wasn’t activated, so no power-flow diagrams or numeric data were available.
Availability & Timeline for Mitsubishi i-MiEV
Sales of the i-MiEV are underway in Japan, and the first 2,000 vehicles are nearly all committed, according to the company. Several i-MiEVs have been delivered to California utility fleets, including those of Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas & Electric, for evaluation. But the right-hand-drive i-MiEV test vehicles were never designed to meet US safety or equipment standards, so they must ultimately be returned to Japan—or be crushed—because they cannot legally be sold in North America.
David Patterson, senior manager of regulatory affairs and certification, Mitsubishi Research and Design America, said the company is looking seriously at whether to certify the “i” car for sale in North American markets. Among other changes, the company would likely widen the track by 3 or 4 inches for stability at speed. Roughly 200 of the first year’s i-MiEVs will be sold in the United Kingdom, however, where its right-hand-drive is not a problem.
Price is not a question Mitsubishi discusses. Patterson noted that the Japanese government offers incentives of almost $16,000 off the retail price, as well as reductions in road tax and registration fees. Last month, he suggested to trade publication Ward’s Auto that the US government should offer at least $10,000 in incentives to buyers of electric vehicles—higher than the $7,500 Federal tax credit authorized last October.
Incentives or not, right now, the i-MiEV is the world’s most polished four-seat, zero-emissions production car. It may not hold that title for long, but after years of primitive, plastic EVs from under-funded startups and importers, it’s nice to see a “real EV” from a genuine automaker at last.
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n/a MPG n/a L/100km
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BODY TYPE:
Coupe
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TECHNOLOGY:
Electric
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BASE MSRP:
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was this so hard? its pretty basic: a small electric vehicle.Combine that with clean energy generation and we got this whole global warming thing covered. I wish all of us the best of luck for a better future and hello from israel!
FINALLY.
Bravo! I may be Mitsubishi's latent attempt, but at least it's in the right direction. No oil dependency with that kind of innovation. I like their choice of green geek techno also.
Like and wondering when this consept would be produced, happy to see it. G.E.Fassauer
This looks like the perfect 'second car' or perhaps first car for a few.
Hurry it up Mitsubishi as we are waiting and willing.
Harry, Malaysia.
Cars like these need to be available now. Mitsubishi has some great ideas, but considering their standard offerings, I have to question whether their AE-cars will fall about if I slam the door too hard one day. They need to strike up a partnership with Honda or Toyota to insure that their best ideas can be immediately absorbed. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.
This vehicle accomplishes the current goals and can hit the road today. Nicely Done!
Excellent work Mitsubishi.
What is needed is a vehicle's cost that fit in the customers pocket.
Why should a EV go 112 mph, just 70 mph is good enough.
Whats the cost.
I'm happy to see car manufacturers attack the Environment problems from many fronts. Well done. ;-)
Can someone help fill the void in the purpose of creating alternative energy concepts for our mainstream transporation. Are we (us, rather U.S.) more interested in paying LESS for gasoline and have no concerns burning 12 mpg?? Meaning if gasoline were always cheap, would we ever embrace hybrids, etc.?? If we are attempting to "save" the environment, then are we to focus only on electric vehicles and bio-diesel?? The answer to either question poses a logical solution for either scenario. Let's hear it folks!!
I like the concept, but here’s a reality check – we’ve had electric vehicles around for years! The speed is impressive, but that is not what a practical energy saver is looking for. The range is average for electric at best. Not to mention the potentially stressful situation one could end up in if stuck in traffic being dangerously close to needing a recharge. It is still just not practical for most to have a vehicle like this for typical commuting.
I have been impressed by the growing sales of hybrid vehicles recently, but whether we like it or not, only the average Joe will drive real change by putting his money on the table. R&D costs a lot of money and the solution REALLY isn’t that simple. Energy is just not free and cannot be truly 100% renewable or perpetual. Even in the natural environment there is always a price to pay for energy. Most likely the change to better technology will only come from consumers realizing it is costing them too much money to drive their gas guzzler on daily commutes – no matter how cool they feel behind the wheel of their big 4-wheel drive, 20-valve truck/tank.
Sorry for the rabbit trail… sticking to the Mitsubishi article, I believe the most exciting part of this story was that Mitsubishi is ‘possibly’ looking into producing a plug-in hybrid. I’m a bit pessimistic about these kinds of announcements from automakers though. I doubt Mitsubishi is serious, so hopefully Honda will once again pioneer a practical plug-in concept to the market, only later to have Toyota to perfect it. ;-) Go Prius!
Rod,
Don't worry about being stuck in the traffic. it's the same with petrol cars. Can you refill your petrol cars if you're stuck in the traffic and run out of gas? And I believe, like Prius, electric cars will turn off the motor instead of idling in red traffic lights.
Electricity can be produced by many renewable sources, and in large scale, ie, high efficiency.
I imagine a future that every roof will have some panels of high efficient solar panels to collect the "free and clean" power from the sun. From there you can do whatever with the electricity, eg filling up your cars.
;-)
I would love to have this for a daily driver. And keep my gas-guzzling truck for trips to the hardware store and vacations.
There are several practical issues that have not been resolved for the typical commuter in the electric car and the Li-Ion battery. The one scenario I mentioned with being stuck in traffic is somewhat the same as the situation with a petrol vehicle, with one big exception – where do you ‘refuel’? You currently cannot stop at the local electric refueling station because there is no such infrastructure. And even if you did, pack a lunch because it is going to take a while. As for the vehicle turning off during periods of inactivity, indeed it would or should, but you are then powering all of your creature comforts directly off the battery (e.g. radio, A/C, fan, etc).
That being said, if there was an electric vehicle that was able to make significant increases in range and reduction in size and weight for the battery, then I would be completely on board. The problem is there has not been that much improvement in the technology since it rolled out decades ago. If there was at least a vehicle with a small enough battery that you could actually have a couple extra on hand to recharge while at work or at home, then we would certainly be onto something. Of course that is just ‘crazy talk’ at the moment. There are limits to what the batteries can do and how much current is required to power the equipment on board to make a small battery feasible.
I do have high hopes for our future though. More people are starting to invest in energy saving products. And with investment, even if you decide that an electric car with average energy performance is the car for you, this will still help funnel more money into the R&D for these projects. The problem currently is and has been the efficiency and expense of products like solar and electric vehicles. Until engineers are able to make huge gains in efficiency for these products, then we are not making true steps forward, we are simply dancing with a dream.
Wow, there are realists and there are pessimists. Rod is a pessimist. I have run out of gas because I let it get to low. Same with battery power. The range is good since most commuters drive 40 miles or less per day. Advancements in solar cells have made it possible to put solar film on any surface, including the top of your car. Maybe you park your car in the sun instead of under a tree and your battery stays charged. The only problem I see with this car is the size. I would buy it but most Americans would think it was death on wheels.
nice thinking. looks like a smart and electric car put together. If you guys manage to make a hybrid engine for a Boeing 747 or Airbus A319, ill be surprised
IT,s wonderfull car.
AND IT LOOKS GOOD TOO!
i think there is many solution s for all what rod and bob said , re the period of ‘refuel’ i think you can exchange a full charge battery from many known points you can replace your empty batteries with anther one full charge .
also i suggest to making companies providing this service iin all the roads and you can pay every month or by credit card for exchange your batteries while your long or short trip to keep your moving smooth and easy , this will make the such this companies owned this batteries and will developed a new technologies to make it easy to exchange once you visit the refuel’ station only 3 minute to exchange the empty batteries with full one
How bout a 1/4 liter highly efficient lightweight gas generator, range extender option. Would add maybe 75 pounds to to vehicle, can have just a 2 gallon tank and add 100 miles of range for those who think 100 mile range isn't enough? Would you pay an extra $2000 to have that option, while dropping all electric range to 80 Miles (due to extra weight) Yet have an total range of 180 Miles and 95% all electric driving? I would. Although I would also be ok with just a 100 mile all electric, which would meet 95% of my needs. Although working from home I barely need a car anymore at all.
As more people work at home(it is a growing trend) the need for cars and oil will decrease.
on that note
Home based businesses earning money are usually not traded on the stock market, these home based businesses are taking profits away from publicly traded companies, hurting performance of publicly traded companies, so is the economy so bad?...declining for major retailers, and old market companies, yes but there is great opportunity for the entrepreneur
Why do all energy smart cars, no matter what they are, all look so freaking retarded. i would never drive this simply because it looks dumb. i dont care how "green" it is...
alternative fuel cars sound great, but ethenol cars or flexfuel cars, very few sources of this fuel are available. i live in a major metropolitan area and there is 1 location you can purchase ethenol!!!!! I live in Texas and this being a very large state, there is only 3 ethenol stations in the entire State!!! No one will buy a car when they can't get the fuel it needs!!
R&D like this is a good idea. Remember though, that production of electric cars will mean an order of magnitude increase in the number and size of batteries.
This in turn, will increase heavy metals in the air (mining and refining lead, nickel, and cadmium ores) and in water contamination from battery disposal. Millions and millions of batteries.
Good work guys, We'd like to know the cost of the car is similar to the Tatanano.
Home all over the world should buy one.
they must make these things affordable or forget about it!
I would love a small affordable electric vehicle! I love my little gas powered car but if I could get an electric---- oh yeah. But I've looked and looked, most are huge, and even the small ones available now are in the $50,000 range. So I guess I'm still waiting....
I would most certainly buy this car when available. I would use this a my daily running around car.
I'm ready for such an electric car.
My wife and I would use our current Prius for 'trips' and the small electric for the remaining 95% of our driving - within 40 miles of our home. Trips to the grocery store, cleaners, hardware store - you name it. These trips would be even more efficient since a regular car is far less efficient in city driving.
We currently have a large photovoltaic array on the roof of our solar home, so using renewable energy would complete the renewable circuit.
I'm charged!
its a verry good car its expensive but you will save up at the end because you dont need gas.
i wish mtsubishi will make hybrid cars,i do have a mitsubishi outlander and i want to trade in to hybrid outlander
Mitsubishi Parts of this car should be available in different and accessible auto parts stores. Many will be excited about this.
As a species we must change ways of thinking a.s.a.p. in order to prevent our extinction . What Mitsubishi is doing is a start in hopefully a quick major effort world wide to consume less on all fronts.
Our ideas of quality of life must switch from more stuff to us !
Global warming is real. We have less than 50 years at best to reduce carbon emissions by 80% boys and girls.
The answer is hanging in the sky. Its time to evolve and yes drive electric cars.
The reason the car needs to go 112 MPH (max means flat ground, no wind) is so that when there's a medium length hill to clime on the freeway, it can sustain 65'ish to keep up with the rest of the traffic. We need these new EVs to be as competent as standard vehicles because owning two cars very non-green.
Yes this all sounds very good, but think of the impact on the environment, well I know its green but this in turn, will increase heavy metals in the air (mining and refining lead, nickel, and cadmium ores) and in water contamination from battery disposal. Millions and millions of batteries.
Though we taking care of one problem but we are creating a 100 more.
Carbon fiber is a very resilient and strong material so no need to worry about it breaking apart or anything like that
I would rather get a cityZENN car.
This car will probably not pass US side impact tests and therefore it won't be available in the US.
My invention will allow small cars to pass crash tests.
www.safersmallcars.com
My commute to work is 12 miles (24 roundtrip), and I live in an area where the terrain is flat. This would be a perfect car for my daily commute and based on price I would give this car serious consideration. For the American market Mitsubishi should offer a trailer option that includes a range extending gasaoline engine/generator and room for luggage for trips greater than 75 miles. No need to lug around the extra weight when not needed, and those that don't want to pay for the range extender, don't have to buy it, or can buy it at a later time if their needs change. Plus Mitsubishi would only have to make minor changes to the vehicle before bringing it to market, so they could get it to market quickly.
Big thumbs up!
But any automaker can bang out an electric car. Better Place, AGL & Nissan present a more thoughout strategy through the Australian Electric Car Network. Being able to swap out leased batteries at Green-powered refuelling stations, having charging stations scattered throughout a city, and not owning the battery (thereby the vehicle RRP is significantly lower) will make me hand over my cash. Hope it comes to fruition by 2012!
'Never buy the first model', and times have changed, but when Mitsubishi brings out a new more energy dense Li-ion battery, who wants the old one in their iMiev?
It's a crime that the big 3 aren't already mass-manufacturing a variey of cars and light trucks based on this concept. Electric is where they need to go, pronto.
well u are not right there ... because global warming is not really because of the fuel cars and factories and those kind of things .. they are a factor but not really the main. The main factor is the Sun because the Sun is getting bigger because of the evolution of it. Since the formation of the Earth the Sun`s luminosity increased 30% and that is what really affects out planet.
Thanks for the website, at least a small light in the big heavy darkness of oil lobby dominated environment. Just to get info on the reservation or delivery of the imev here in Geneva is impossible. Mitsubishi did present the last version at the Auto show last week but no dealership is willing to provide ANY info. I called and mailed all the Geneva area Mitsibishi dealers and found myself kick out every time. It felt like in movies where a massive Omerta is kept southern Sicily style. No one would give me any info and everyone was extremely unfriendly, some hanging up on me, some putting me on hold for a while....very very strange in the middle of a massive world eco crisis in which the car industry is on the verge to severely shrink if not disappear for some large players. A client willing to pre order a new car, being treated like this? I wrote to Mitsubishi by mail, no reply either.... What is it? The old oil cartel pressuring again, like in the 80's with the old Tesla.
Well well well Mitsubishi, I guess its time to educate the pretending Swiss at your dealership and service your future clients.
Thanks if you've got more info
this is so unbelieveable woooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwooooooooooooooooowoowowowowwwwwwwwwwwwoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
lateisha
lateisha
lateisha
renee
Does this come in a much larger SUV model? You need to sit up high when reaching for your triple meat double cheese burger and jumbo gallon slurpy at the drive through window :-P
@shopa
The petrol version of the Mitsubishi "i" car has been crash tested in Japan, including side impact tests, and got five out of the maximum six stars.
I'm not sure how the Japanese tests compare to US standards, but they are pretty tough.
For the Japanese crash test results in English, see: http://www.nasva.go.jp/mamoru/english/2007/type/10_i.html
For more on the i-Miev, see:
http://www.greenmotor.co.uk/2009/09/driving-mitsubishi-i-miev-electric-c...
Bring it in Edmonton!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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