Mitsubishi plans to mass-market a small electric vehicle by 2010. As major car companies continue to introduce eco-friendly offerings in the marketplace, second-tier car manufacturers like Mitsubishi are busy playing catch up. “One of the biggest issues facing an automaker today is the problem of the environment,” said Osamu Masuko, president of Mitsubishi. "Being able to come up with solutions to an array of environmental issues or not will decide if an auto maker can survive long into the future."
The production vehicle will most likely be a derivative of the iMiEV (Mitsubishi in-wheel Electric Vehicle) Sport Concept, which was introduced at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, and became the latest in a line of MiEV vehicles that Mitsubishi has been developing for a number of years. The first such vehicle to be unveiled was the Colt EV in the Spring of 2005. The idea is to make affordable, viable electric vehicles, especially for those living in congested cities. This kind of technology allows higher mileage, independence from petroleum, and a positive impact to the environment. It’s the proverbial triple threat in green motoring.
The iMiEV Sport drive system uses three permanent magnetic synchronous motors. One in-wheel motor is placed at each front wheel; a single motor drives the rear wheels. Plus, there’s Super All Wheel Control—the company’s vehicle dynamics control system—to achieve high maneuverability. Top speed for the vehicle is 112 miles per hour, with a travel range of 124 miles. Taking advantage of its relatively long wheelbase, a lithium-ion battery is installed at the lowest area under the floor, which will grant the vehicle maximum stability, agile handling, and a more spacious interior. The iMiEV Sport concept—like most concept vehicles—has its share of eye-candy for the green geeks. The list includes a photovoltaic generator on the roof, a power-generating fan inside the front grill, power-saving LED lighting, and an air conditioning system made more efficient by the use of heat-absorbing windows. In addition, Green Plastic—Mitsubishi’s plant-based resin technology—is used for many interior components as a further effort to be as eco-friendly as possible.
It's All About the Battery
More than anything else, Mitsubishi’s plans are based on the latest advancements in battery technology. Having developed its own large-capacity high-performance lithium-ion battery—in a joint venture with GS Yuasa Corporation—Mitsubishi is confident that the technology is ready for primetime. The battery cells from the joint venture are based on the LIM series of large-format lithium ion batteries manufactured by GS Yuasa. The partners have enhanced the cell structure and electrode materials to deliver improved energy and power densities. The result is an electric car with the power and range suitable for daily driving.
Since the battery is not yet advanced enough to power a large vehicle by itself, Mitsubishi is looking into the possibility of a plug-in hybrid for a heftier fuel-efficient large vehicle. Though there is no timetable, the plug-in hybrid would come to fruition some time after the electric car hits the streets. According to Masuko, Mitsubishi has no current plans to develop a conventional gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle.
