Mitsubishi to Partner With Tokyo Electric on New Electric Vehicle
18 August 2005
Daily Yomiuri. Mitsubishi Motors (MMC) is reportedly working with Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) on the development of its previously announced electric car. (Earlier post.)
TEPCO will provide the recharging system—which can use a standard household circuit—and the rechargeable batteries to support the new EV minicar being developed by MMC. With the new partnership, Mitsubishi is advancing the planned release of the EV from 2010 to 2008.
The new EV will be based on the i, a minicar scheduled to be launched at the end of the year. (Earlier post.)
The proposed EV will use the Mitsubishi In-wheel motor Electric Vehicle (MIEV) system. Mitsubishi is currently planning a 250-kilometer range for the car after a four-hour recharge, at a price of below ¥2 million (US$18,000).
I owned a Mitsubishi Colt back in the 80's that was one fine machine and now am now looking forward with great expectations to buying (probably two) the new electric version Colt with motor in wheel and Li-ion batteries combined of course with ultra caps when it comes out in 2007. Do export it to the USA!!
Posted by: Mike Breza | 18 August 2005 at 02:23 PM
I owned a Mitsubishi Colt back in the 80's that was one fine machine and now am now looking forward with great expectations to buying (probably two) the new electric version Colt with motor in wheel and Li-ion batteries combined of course with ultra caps when it comes out in 2007. Do export it to the USA!!
Posted by: Mike Breza | 18 August 2005 at 02:25 PM
This is great news! At least _someone_ understands what's a viable idea in the near future automotive world. I'll definitely buy one.
Posted by: Bob Seeley | 18 August 2005 at 07:08 PM
It would sure nice if they sold some in the US. We need a real electric vehicle with lithium batteries to show the auto companies how they should and could be made.
Mini cars are getting more popular like the SMART SCION and others. It's about time we get some real choices in the USA.
Jim
Posted by: Jim Stack | 19 August 2005 at 07:59 PM
I do not know what companies that already have small cars in Europe are waiting for to bring them to USA.
What a waste!
I heard already Yaris, Fit and, Versa have waiting list to purchase them and dealers are overpricing them. If we had more choices, this would not be happening.
We need reliables small cars!.
Posted by: Milo | 15 March 2006 at 11:23 PM
An electric car is a nice idea, but if you want to do some real green car making, how about a gas electric hybrid with an all photovoltaic carbon fiber body, inline seating, in-wheel motors and maybe even put a steam generator on the exhaust to get a few more amps for the gallon.
Posted by: S A Reinhardt | 23 April 2006 at 10:10 PM
Haven't seen any new comments on this lately. EVs OK; li-ion bats NO! That's all we need: EVs loaded with hundreds of potential bombs, ie. exploding batteries on our already dangerous roads. We can do better than this.
Posted by: Hydrojo | 28 August 2006 at 02:56 PM