Mitsubishi to produce Minicab-MiEV in Indonesia in 2024; first local production of the vehicle outside Japan
17 February 2023
Mitsubishi Motors will begin production of the Minicab-MiEV, a onebox kei–car-class commercial electric vehicle (EV), at PT Mitsubishi Motors Krama Yudha Indonesia (MMKI), MMC’s factory in Indonesia. MMKI has a production capacity of 220,000 vehicles per year, and currently produces the Pajero Sport, Xpander, and Xpander Cross.
The Minicab-MiEV, which will be produced overseas for the first time, is equipped with an EV system proven in the i-MiEV. By placing the drive battery under the center of the floor, the EV components are installed without sacrificing capacity, thus ensuring a large cargo space. Furthermore, this battery placement gives the vehicle a lower center of gravity, resulting in steering stability and ride comfort.
In December 2011, Mitsubishi Motors domestically launched the Minicab-MiEV, the only Kei-car class commercial EV produced by a Japanese automaker, mainly for use in the delivery industry. Although the company once decided to end its production, sales resumed in November 2022 in response to growing demand for such commercial EVs, particularly from logistics companies and local governments that are engaged in sustainable business activities.
For a battery of 16 kwh, seems a bit expensive ($18000).
Posted by: peskanov | 17 February 2023 at 02:58 AM
So it’s a 2011 Mitsubishi Minicab -MiEV. Wow!
It is using 2008 GS Yuasa Lithium Vanadium Phosphate LEV50 battery cells.
https://www.greencarcongress.com/2008/05/the-battery-pac.html
The Honda N-Van EV based on the best selling Kei car in Japan will blow it away.
“2024 Honda N-Van EV Coming As $7,300 Electric Kei Workhorse”
https://www.motor1.com/news/625427/2024-honda-n-van-announced/
Posted by: Gryf | 17 February 2023 at 10:33 AM
Correction: The original 2008 LEV50 cell going into the i MiEV pack was a 50 Ah, 3.7V cell using a mixed LMO/NMC cathode material with a hard carbon anode.
The 2011 upgraded GS Yuasa used LVP with improved cycle life similar to LFP.
https://www.marklines.com/en/report_all/rep963_201104#r15
Posted by: Gryf | 17 February 2023 at 10:41 AM
With the updated batteries it is also possible they have changed the motors, MCU, etc.
Posted by: Paroway | 18 February 2023 at 07:11 AM
As more manufacturers update it is likely these little vehicles can be made with one large ( relatively speaking) casting and other advances to lower the manufacturing costs.
Posted by: Paroway | 18 February 2023 at 07:18 AM
This is the first Kei car built outside of Japan and is based on the 2011 Mitsubishi Minicab-MiEV which has a 30 kW motor and up to 16 kWh battery. This is a commercial vehicle and should be adequate for a light delivery van.
However, back in Japan: the Mitsubishi eK X EV (along with the very similar Nissan Sakura) has won the 2022 Japan Car of the Year and is sold out.
This is what it costs in Japan based on this article - Can the Tiny Nissan Sakura Make It Big in the EV Market? https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-topics/g02204/
“While the Sakura seems to be more expensive than a gas-powered kei-class vehicle, a national government EV subsidy of ¥550,000 is available, and families living in Tokyo who have made renewable electricity part of their home energy supply qualify for an additional ¥600,000 local government subsidy. Applying both subsidies brings about an effective discount of ¥1,150,000, bringing the cheapest Sakura model’s price down to about ¥1,200,000”.
That is $8948 USD. So buy this for all your local travel and use your Suzuki Jimmy for the annual trip to the ski slopes in Niigata.
Posted by: Gryf | 19 February 2023 at 10:23 AM