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EV WORLD EXCLUSIVE ARTICLE |
Mitsubishi has adapted their 'i' gasoline engine 4-door sedan to run on electric power using a 47kw motor and 16kwh lithium-ion batteries. Top speed is 80 mph and range is estimated at 100 miles (160 km) per charge.
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Tokyo Report: Mitsubishi's i MiEV Electric Car
By Bill Moore
Exclusive EV World video and photo slideshow from the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show
Open Access Article Originally Published: November 10, 2007
If there is any question about whether or not Mitsubishi is serious about the battery electric car, you have but to watch the above video. Of all the vehicles that have been adapted from a conventional gasoline vehicle, the "i" MiEV is perhaps the closest to being not only a practical substitute for a family-sized electric runabout but also one of the neatest integrations of electric car technology I've seen.
Where the "i" normally would have a 660cc turbocharged gasoline engine and fuel tank, the MiEV instead sports a 47 kw permanent magnet synchronous electric motor mounted in the rear, above which is positioned the controller. Buried neatly into the belly pan of the vehicle is a lithium-ion battery pack consisting of 22 large format modules developed by GS Yuasa Corporation in Japan. The 330-volt system has an energy capacity is 16kWh, which is the same capacity as GM is planning for its own 4-passenger, range-extended electric Volt concept car. But where the i MiEV has a projected electric driving range of 100 miles (160km), the Volt's target EV-only mode is 40 miles, with a flexible fuel engine reserve of some 580 additional miles.
The i MiEV is no acceleration sluggard, either. It's electric motor provides 180Nm of torque. Acceleration is 31% quicker and its noise level is some 5db quieter than the typical gasoline minicar. Seating four, it weighs 1,080kg (2380 lbs) and has a top speed of 130km/h (80 mph). Using the Japanese 10-15 mode driving cycle and the country's current grid power mix, which is heavily reliant on nuclear power, the MiEV demonstrates a whopping 72% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to the gasoline "i".
In terms of operating costs, Mitsubishi estimates that using off-peak power at night means it will cost 1/9th the cost of fuel for the gasoline model; and even using daytime power rates, it is still one-third the cost of its petroleum-dependent sibling.
The car can be recharged using normal household current at 100 volts (taking approximately 14 hours to recharge), 200 volts (7 hr recharge time) and 3-phase 200 volt. In the latter case, it would take only 30 minutes to recharge the vehicle to 80 percent SOC (state-of-charge) using a Quick-charge system. The charger is built into the vehicle, the 100 volt female plug on the right rear, the 200 volt receptacle on the left rear (see photo below).
Mitsubishi has joint research programs evaluating the everyday practicality and quick-charge compatibility of these carswith three electric utilities in Japan: Tokyo Electric Power, Chugoku Electric Power and Kiyushu Electric Power. The company hopes that it can expand the number of vehicles in operation in Japan to as many as 30 in 2008. Assuming these tests are successful, Mitsubishi hopes to begin mass manufacture of the MiEV initially for the Japanese market in 2009. The company is also looking at offering the vehicle in England.
END STORY
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Reader Comments
18 comments so far...
16-Sep-2008
63848
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I would be happy to add my name to a list of buyers, I'd even put a deposit down, if I could be one of the first on my block to get my own MiEV (love the name!). Finally, an EV that doesn't look like a plastic chew toy.
Posted by: John Zane
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20-Sep-2008
63957
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Very nice car and [hopefully safe]innovative bat-
tery supply: Some other mfgrs have had overheat
trouble with their exotic batteries...Wish Mitsu-
bishi had a basic, DC motored, lead-acid [boat
batts] version with manual 4-5 speed trans and
heater/defroster, charger, 12 volt outlet, crank
windows,simple AM/FM/Digital radio [10-12 watt,
4 channel, 6-high efficiency speakers. Non-power-
ed steering and brakes, light tint only, low-con-
suming headlites and LED turn/tail/STOP lites...
Try to bring it in under $10K: By changing amp-
hour rating of batteries, get 15, 30, 45 miles
range at legal speed. This wud be great for Sen-
iors, single-Moms, students, GIs who live near
bases, short-commuters, persons who take tools
or equipment to jobsites...
Posted by: Aaron Allen
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12-Jul-2008
62685
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From what I can see in the slide show, it would appear that there is indeed communication between the onboard charger and any external charging hardware. The top and bottom 'pins' look like 3 or 4 connections for feedback of some kind.
I think I could live with a car like that. It looks a little wierd, but beats paying for gas.
Posted by: William Dryden
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12-Jul-2008
62687
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Anxiously awaiting its arrival in Canada!
Michael Travaline, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posted by: Michael Travaline
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11-Nov-2007
59136
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A FEMALE plug on the car is outright dangerous, there would be live MALE pins on the power cable. Or is there some communication bus to only enable the charger as soon as the plug is securely connected?
Posted by: Grassberger Wolfgang
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11-Nov-2007
59137
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Excellent, but no mention of price yet ? The Miles automotive javalon will be out in 2008 at $28K. I can't wait, neither can oil at close to $100 a barrel which will help sales of EVs more than any government incentive !
Posted by: jim stack
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11-Nov-2007
59142
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Looks good. Price? I would like battery powered vehicle makers to post their vehicles ranges at a constant 70 miles per hour on level terrain. It's important to know that figure in California in all areas outside the large cities where one might be able to avoid freeways (if that's possible). Mountain areas would be a special situation due to road gradients and low winter temperatures. Think '70 miles per hour' as a freeway minimum requirement to avoid road rage
Posted by: David Park
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12-Nov-2007
59145
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Very cool.
Posted by: EV Rider
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12-Nov-2007
59147
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I noticed in the video that as the driver was pulling in, the car passes a Subaru R1e. Did EVWorld get to test drive that vehicle too? Any information about that car?
Posted by: Wanna Electric
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12-Nov-2007
59151
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Wanna Electric.... yes, I did get to ride in it, but I didn't shoot any video or take as many photographs, in part because it just wasn't as impressive as the MiEV.
I do have some short footage on the Subaru concept EV and I'll do a report on both vehicles soon.
Posted by: Bill Moore
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13-Nov-2007
59157
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Regarding Wolfgang Grassberger's remarks, I suspect that I am wrong in my identification of the connector on the vehicle being female. I didn't get a look at the 100 volt plug, only the 200 volt one, which may be, on closer inspection a mail connector. There is a close up photo of it in the slideshow, so maybe the engineers among us can help identify it properly.
Posted by: Bill Moore
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13-Nov-2007
59163
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Jim Stack: I believe Miles has adjusted their projected price for the Javlon to $32K. I am still anxious to see what it is like, when it comes out.
Posted by: Ron Cochran
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25-Nov-2007
59326
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hOla Bill,
I was wondering which of all the elec. cars that you've seen so far has impressed you the most?
It seems that 08 and 09 will finallyyyyyyyyy
bring some actual elec. cars for the consumer.
I can think of the think, the imev, miles chinese sedan, and the chevy volt, (i was pleasantly surpised by your mentioning that the volt would have a 60 mile range in elec. I had only seen 40.)
I forgot the alvara (the airplane looking car coming out next year). Personally I am leaning towards either the volt or the imev since you'd have an established company's warranty. I hope all these companies make tons of money and with the help of gas prices see a dramatic change in American and all driver's world wide transportation choices. Why not do an article on all these coming options with estimated dates for delivery, range, cost,warranty etc,
jerry h
Posted by: jerry h
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17-Jun-2008
62258
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Bill,
Do you know if there is a list somewhere to get on if you want to be either a test driver or the first purchaser in the US?
Posted by: Ben Brown
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11-Nov-2009
102028
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Uzytkownik Infinium LS Joey W. byl widziany odkrywajac grutke zlota w Kalifornii.[url=http://www.garrett.ch/pol/products_det.php3?id=43&product_id=119][img]http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/80/l_b9a23806cda84050a2adbd57df92f940.jpg[/img] wykrywacze Polskie wykrywacze metali detektory Wojciech Oksienciuk[/url]
Posted by: CiccabbecyTep CiccabbecyTep
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14-Nov-2009
107399
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Posted by: Dotooutrape Dotooutrape
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12-Oct-2009
77381
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Te 12 kul muszkietów zostalo odnalezionych przez Steve'a M. przy uzyciu jego GTI 2500 oraz wskaznika Garretta PRO-POINTER[url=http://www.garrett.ch/pol/products_det.php3?id=43&product_id=108][img]http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/69/l_5568b48a107f4af6b8d60f52400a4c8b.jpg[/img] wykrywacze sieci wodoci?gowe detektorów metali znaleziska [/url]
Posted by: Assoloimmidge Assoloimmidge
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14-Oct-2009
78575
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Die fünfjährige Robin B. zeigt aufgeregt ihr erstes 25-Cent-Stück, das sie mit ihrem ACE 250 gefunden hat.[url=http://www.garrett.ch/ger/products_det.php3?id=40&product_id=130][img]http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/86/l_672c69ae4ebc43ecbd32fe2b35c9a5d7.jpg[/img] garret metalldetektoren garet [/url]
Posted by: Prioksmerse Prioksmerse
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