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Mitsubishi Planning Shorter and Longer Range i-MiEVs

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Mitsubishi Planning Shorter and Longer Range i-MiEVs
The i-MiEV electric car will go on sale July 31st in Japan and later this fall in Europe. The car... Read More

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1,418 views Jul 23, 2009

Mitsubishi i-MiEV

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The i-MiEV electric car will go on sale July 31st in Japan and later this fall in Europe. The car is designed with a 100 mile range. According to its President Osamu Masuko, Mitsubishi also has plans to release a 124 mile longer range version as well as a less expensive shorter range version.

The present 100 mile i-MiEV is powered by 16 kwh lithium-ion battery pack containing 88 cells and 22 modules mated to a 64 horsepower electric motor and has a top speed of 81 mph. The vehicle has a rear-midship layout, putting the batteries in the middle of the car and a single electric motor in the rear. It is rear wheel drive and retails at $47,500 USD before rebates.

Mitsubishi is also planning a less expensive shorter range version, and a plug-in gas hybrid model is expected in 3 years.

About 5000 copies of the i-MiEV will be built this year and the company hopes to bring teh car to North America next year.

Masuko said he expected 20% of Mitsubishi's sales to be hybrid and electric vehicles by 2020. “We have to understand that the automotive industry is facing a big change; the business model that worked for the last century will not be sustainable in the future,” he said.

Source ( AutoCar UK)