Exclusive interview with Tohru Hashimoto on Mitsubishi's Corporate General Manager for its i MiEV electric car program.
Open Access Article Originally Published: June 16, 2008
They do things differently at Mitsubishi Motors, especially in the pursuit of a Zero Emissions, eco-friendly car. Instead of quietly and secretly testing a prototype for many years over many miles/kilometres away from the public eye. They have embarked on a very public development program that actively involves companies in the vehicles development. Along the way they are also offering a few lucky journalist and VIP’s (at this years G8 summit they will have 10 iMiEV’s to chauffeur ministers around) the chance to ride and even drive their latest development vehicle.
[See EV World video test drive in the i MiEV electric car]
This is the current public face of MMC’s Electric Vehicle development, but what is the rest of their EV world like? To find this out, I arranged an interview with Tohru Hashimoto the Corporate General Manager of newly formed, Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle business or the MiEV- Promotion Office.
This interview took place on the 20th of May 2008 at MMC’s head office in Tokyo.
Could I start by asking about MMC’s History and background with Electric Vehicles?
We have been involved with Electric Vehicles since the 1960’s. In the 70’s we made a total of 150 Electric vehicles for Electric Power companies- using Lead-Acid batteries. We continued our development of Lead-Acid powered EV’s through the 80’s, but in the early 90’s decided to switch to Lithium-ion. In 1998 we converted our FTO sports car to an EV-to test our Lithium-ion Batteries. This was followed by an EV version of the Eclipse sports car in 2000 –again with Lithium-ion batteries. Also during 2000 we produced the MEEV-II (Mitsubishi Eco Electric Vehicle) an all aluminium space framed two-seat City car. It was a just a concept car –a show model for the Tokyo Motor Show.
I would now like to explain some of our recent history. In the case of MIEV, we started development just three years ago, back in May 2005. In the beginning, we produced the Colt EV MIEV with two rear in-wheel motors. Later the same year, in August, we went to a four individual motors drive system for the Lancer Evolution MIEV (Mitsubishi In wheel Electric Vehicle). The following year, in October 2006 we changed again and this time to one single motor driving through a differential to two rear wheels. This is because the “i” MiEV is very compact A segment vehicle. We found people do not want a high performance vehicle, so we changed from using four separate motors to one single motor drive system. This has brought us to a more affordable arrangement. Also, we do not need the additional development time period to develop an in-wheel system. For we want to introduce such an Electric vehicle as soon as possible to the real market.
So the vehicle that is going to go into production will be an EV version of the current generation “i” city car, or will it be an electric version of the next generation “i”?
For the time being we need to concentrate on the current iMiEV. After iMiEV is launched, we will then need to consider a successor model or other additional models.
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Reader Comments
14 comments so far...
22-Jul-2008
62895
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They may be using ACpropulsion's drive-train technology.It was smart that they ditched the wheel motors for a mid-engine motor.Wheel motors weigh around 50-60lbs. each and create too much unsprung weight and flywheel effect.They are too fragile and expensive to place in harm's way.Got a bid from PML for two wheel motors : $65,000.00 !
Posted by: John Hurt
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28-Jul-2008
63012
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John, unsprung weight and flywheel effect is no factor in hub electric motors, the wheel is actually connected to shaft which secures inside the hub and the hub is all the electronics also enables regenerative braking possibilities. Checkout e-traction http://www.e-traction.com/ here is a nice example http://www.e-traction.com/e-traction_universal_rear_axle.htm and here http://www.e-traction.com/SM350.htm. Their idea is to put them on any vehicle, it is like a module and have done a few already. Someday it will be a platform you sit your car body onto and add a few harnesses then you drive off. To fix it you remove your car body and then make repairs to the platform and then put the car body back on and drive off again.
Posted by: Charles Jones
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30-Jul-2008
63030
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Hub motors are too heavy and are adding to unsprung weight.This is why race cars use inboard brakes and coil-over shocks.Think of your wheel as a jackhammer.The more weight on the wheel ,the more pounding to the pavement.The fact is that the lower the wheel and wheel hub weight,the more instant power can be transferred to the pavement.Remember why flywheels are used on engines?They slow down the torque of the engine rpms so the crank does not snap.Also the suspension handling is much lighter and the car corners flatter with less effort.PML hub motors weigh 55-60lbs. not including brake rotors and calipers.
Posted by: John Hurt
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30-Jul-2008
63031
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I have all the spec sheets for PML hub motors and know about the engineering for the suspension and mounting.It is still mounted on a suspension with control arms similar to a brake drum.America will never accept these hub motors with only electric brakes.Morgan uses these motors inboard with an axle shaft.
Posted by: John Hurt
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10-Oct-2008
64321
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This was a really great interview. I'm already thinking of purchasing a Mitsubishi in the future to replace my old EV. The weatherstrip on my previous vehicle is starting to give away anyway.
Posted by: Josef Heath
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11-Aug-2008
63247
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"However, there is no mass market for the Electric Vehicle today -anywhere around the world."
Arrrgh! That's because no major auto maker makes one!
I have money to spend, I am just waiting for the first major auto maker to come out with a BEV. I WILL NOT BUY another internal combustion engine powered car. Note that I said BUY, I will not lease one only to have it taken from me.
Posted by: Stew W
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11-Aug-2008
63248
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To clarify my above post: The next car I buy will be a BEV. No lease, BUY. I do not want it taken from me if the manufacturer changes their mind.
Posted by: Stew W
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18-Jun-2008
62265
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IT SEEMS TO ME THAT A ELECTRIC CAR CAN HAVE PERPETUAL MOTTION. WHY IS IT THAT A GAS CAR CAN CHARGE ITS SYSTEM,LET ME REITERATE MAINTAIN ITS SYSTEM AND AN ELECTRIC CAR CANNOT. WE ARE LIMMITING ARE VISIONS IF WE ARE TRYING TO PRODUCE A VEHICLE THAT HAS LIMITS BEFORE CHARGING TO 60 90 100 MILES INSTEAD OF ONE THAT CHARGES ITSELF. IF WE ARE GOING TO BREAK OUR DEPENDENCE ON OIL LETS BREAK IT WITH THE COMBINATION OF SOLAR TECHNOLGY AND WIND A DESIGN TO SELF CHARGE THE BATTERIES A PERPETUAL MOTION VEHICLE CAN BE MADE
I SAID CAN OOPPS NOT MAYBEY BUT CAN BE MADE LETS THINK THAT WAY AND SEE WHERE WE GO THIS CHANGE IS THE NEXT GOING TO THE MOON OF THE 60'SAND 70'S
THINK POSITIVELY AND DONT LET MAYBEY ENTER OUR THOUGHTS WE HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE LETS USE IT. I'M A PAINTER AND I KNOW IT CAN BE DONE.
Posted by: MARK KELLY
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18-Jun-2008
62268
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Bill,
Great Interview. MMC seems to be very motivated to promote EVs as mainstream cars. They seem to have a very realistic and smart strategy to do so.
GSP
Posted by: GSP II
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19-Jun-2008
62279
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All kudos for this interview are Stephen Clemenger's, not mine. He did a wonderful job on this... AND.. there are more in the works, so stay tuned.
Posted by: Bill Moore
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30-Jun-2008
62473
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We have developed a design of an almost perpetual car which runs on battery power for almost unlimited distance against present and future battery technologies. This technology can also convert present Hybrid automobiles to run thousands of miles without charging the batteries. Interested parties can contact us at GasAlternative@yahoo.com.
Posted by: E. Bolor
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16-Jun-2008
62234
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My only question for Tohru Hashimoto is
where can I buy one?
Posted by: Streetcar Eddie
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16-Jun-2008
62242
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I'm hoping MMC will choose Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) to roll out it's California Test Vehicles. Please confirm if this is the case.
Thanks,
Brian Steen
Palo Alto, CA
Posted by: Brian Steen
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17-Jun-2008
62255
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I'm baffled that I'm the only one who came up with an EV that charges it's own batteries. What's up with these large corporation? Why are we still driving on 100 year old tech?
Posted by: FRANK BROCK
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