Another Look at the 2012 Mitsubishi-i - US Spec

Last year, the only volume battery electric car on sale in the U.S. was the Nissan Leaf. But for 2012, there's a new electric vehicle in town: the 2012 Mitsubishi 'i'.

The egg-shaped minicar is Mitsubishi's first plug-in offering, but it's actually been around longer than the Leaf, with tens of thousands sold in Asia and Europe under the name "i-MiEV". Initial U.S. sales markets are California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii.

Though it's remarkably small, the 2012 'i' seats four full-sized adults comfortably. Its 16-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack (one-third smaller than the Leaf's) powers a 49-kilowatt (66-horsepower) electric motor driving the rear wheels.

The EPA rates the 2012 Mitsubishi 'i' as having a range of 62 miles, lower than the Leaf's 73 miles. But the Mitsubishi electric car gets a slightly higher efficiency rate of 112 "MPG-e," an equivalency rate that equates the energy used to power the car with that in an equivalent number of gallons of gasoline.

This means the 'i' uses its stored electric energy more economically than any other vehicle on sale in the U.S.--an esoteric distinction, given how cheap electricity is, but one that its maker is touting nonetheless.

2012 Mitsubishi i - First Drive, U.S.-spec MiEV

Like the Leaf, the 'i' offers an optional DC quick-charging port that provides an 80-percent battery recharge in about half an hour. While those quick-charge stations are quite rare at the moment, expect to see more of them installed in the early-launch locations for both electric cars (largely the West Coast and some east-coast locations).

The 2012 Mitsubishi 'i' and the Nissan Leaf may be the first two battery electric cars to go on sale in the U.S., but over the next few years, they'll be joined by many others: this year, the Ford Focus Electric and, later, perhaps the Tesla Model S all-electric luxury sport sedan.

As a small and perennially struggling maker, Mitsubishi is making a big gamble on introducing an electric car. But for what it is, the 'i' is a creditable entry. It's nimble to drive, if hardly the quickest car on the road, and its minimal exterior dimensions hide a remarkable amount of space inside.

2012 Mitsubishi i - First Drive, U.S.-spec MiEV

We think the 2012 Mitsubishi 'i' is ideally suited to a role as a second or third car, a commuter vehicle, or an urban runabout. You might not want to drive it cross-country, but its limited range would make that a challenge anyway.

Its clever design, four-person capacity, and overall efficiency prompted us to name the 2012 'i' as one of our six nominees for the GreenCarReports Best Car To Buy 2012 award.

We've been describing each of the contenders, one per day, over the course of this week. Come Monday, we'll name the winner for 2012.

Source: Green Car Reports

Toshiba Partnering with Mitsubishi To Develop Li-ion SCiB Battery Systems for EVs

Toshiba Corporation announced that it is working with Mitsubishi Motors Corporation to bring its SCiB battery to electric vehicles (EVs). The SCiB is Toshiba’s rechargeable lithium-ion battery that combines high levels of safety with a long life and rapid recharging.

The use of new oxide-based materials in the current SCiB cells results in capacity loss after 3000 charge-discharge cycles of less than 10%; SCiB cells achieve more than 6000 charge-discharge cycles. More than 90% of the SCiB cell capacity can be charged in just 5 minutes using a large charging current (max. 50A).

A SCiB module now under development that houses the SCiB cells optimizes usage of individual cells and this, along with the long life cycle of the SCiB, adds to the overall durability of the battery over different cruising distances.

In bringing the SCiB to EV, Toshiba has developed a new original anode material and a new electrolyte that enhances both safety and rapid recharging.

Toshiba positions the SCiB as a new business with promising long term growth potential—and one that is already showing its versatility, as the SCiB has already been selected for an electric bicycle, an electric motorcycle, and as part of the power storage in a microgrid system.

Toshiba will produce SCiB for industrial applications, including EV and power storage, at Kashiwazaki Operations, a new facility in Niigata prefecture that is slated to start production in 2011. In the EV sector, Toshiba will move ahead by establishing an operating structure for promoting sales and marketing activities that will secure orders and allow it to respond quickly to market growth.

Mitsubishi has also earlier formed a joint venture with GS Yuasa—Lithium Energy Japan—to manufacture large-capacity and high-performance lithium-ion batteries.

Mitsubishi to Sell iMiev EV Car in the US

The Misubishi iMiev Electric Vehicle







Good news for those of us in the US who want more alternate energy vehicles for sale in the showrooms.

PRESS RELEASE: Mitsubishi Motors Green Lights i MiEV Electric Car for Global Markets

State of Oregon and Portland General Electric Join Test Program

NEW YORK, April 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Mitsubishi Motors is accelerating its drive toward greater environmental responsibility and reinforcing its Drive@Earth global sustainability initiative by announcing today its commitment to develop the pure electric, four-passenger Mitsubishi i MiEV for global markets.

Ending months of heightening speculation, Mitsubishi Motors North America President and CEO Shinichi Kurihara confirmed the i MiEV (Mitsubishi Innovative Electric Vehicle) is being developed for sale in world markets, including the United States.

"Electric vehicles are one branch of the automotive landscape and we are dedicated to providing these technology-sourced solutions as an important path for the world's clean-air options," explained Kurihara, who stood alongside a Left Hand Drive i MiEV during his address to journalists at the New York International Auto Show. "We believe the i MiEV delivers on the promise of sustainability, suitable range, performance, and innovative packaging and styling."

The award-winning Mitsubishi i MiEV is expected to be the world's first practical electric vehicle offered by a major automobile manufacturer when fleet sales begin this July in Japan.

State of Oregon and Portland General Electric Join Partnership

Kurihara was pleased to also announce that the State of Oregon and Portland General Electric (PGE) (NYSE:POR) are joining Mitsubishi in the i MiEV partnership program. "State of Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski is a progressive thinker who is providing a roadmap of the future," commented Kurihara. "The State of Oregon and Portland General Electric will become valuable partners in helping validate the future of all electric vehicles."

Details of the programs are being finalized, but the findings from these real-world, independent tests will play an important role in further advancing the car's development for the U.S. market.

"Oregon welcomes the partnership with Mitsubishi as we transition to the next generation in vehicle technology. Together, we can build a consistent and reliable infrastructure so consumers can make the switch seamlessly to electric vehicles," Governor Kulongoski said. "The partnership shows that a state can create opportunity for its commitment to a greener future - wins for our economy and our environment."

PGE is rolling out a network of charging stations across its service territory in Oregon and the addition of i MiEVs further facilitates its support of next-generation electric vehicles. PGE currently has more than a dozen charging stations up and running.

"We are developing a model charging station infrastructure across our service territory to advance the electric vehicle market in Oregon for our customers," said Jim Piro, president and CEO, PGE. "Our customers are number one in the nation in purchasing renewable power so clearly they are committed to sustainability. We expect Oregon to be one of the top markets for next generation electric vehicles. We look forward to partnering with Mitsubishi and the state of Oregon on this important project."

Mitsubishi i MiEV Performance

Based on the successful Japanese market "i" car, the electric version replaces the i's conventional gasoline engine, transmission and fuel tank with an advanced lithium-ion battery system, electric motor and onboard charging system. Unique rear mid-ship architecture allowed Mitsubishi Motors to seamlessly integrate the new components under the seats, luggage compartment and floor deck, meaning no compromise in interior cabin space. In fact, there are few visual sight cues that indicate the vast technological differences between the gasoline and electric models.

With its high-torque electric motor and clever packaging, the i MiEV offers an intelligent combination of useful performance with small physical and carbon footprints, plus a roomy interior and a sensible range of approximately 80 miles from its advanced lithium-ion battery pack.

The i MiEV's battery pack consists of 22 modules, each one consisting of four cells that can be installed in either a vertical or transverse position under the i MiEV's floor. The i MiEV's onboard charger automatically adapts between a standard 110 outlet - which takes 12-14 hours - or half that time on 220. There is also a fast charge connector that allows the battery to reach 80 percent of capacity in just 30 minutes.

The proprietary lithium-ion batteries are purpose-built for automotive applications. It is produced by Lithium Energy Japan, a joint venture among GS Yuasa, Mitsubishi Corporation and Mitsubishi Motors.

About Mitsubishi Motors Corporation

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) is responsible for all manufacturing, finance, sales, marketing, research and development operations for Mitsubishi Motors in the United States. MMNA sells coupes, convertibles, sedans, sport utility vehicles and light trucks through a network of approximately 420 dealers. For more information, contact the Mitsubishi Motors News Bureau at (888) 560-6672 or visit media.mitsubishicars.com.

About PGE

Portland General Electric Company, headquartered in Portland, Ore., is a fully integrated electric utility that serves approximately 810,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Oregon. For more information about Portland General Electric Company, please visit the company's Web site at www.PortlandGeneral.com.

For images, go to media.mitsubishicars.com

Source: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc