Take that, GM. Formerly-sick car company Mitsubishi Motors has a working electric car; they’re already testing a fleet of a few hundred units in Japan. The Mitsubishi innovative Vehicle promises a 75mph top speed and a 100 mile range. It’ll take seven hours to recharge the battery using a normal socket (220V). If you’ve got high voltage, figure an 80 percent recharge within 30 minutes. Being a totally new car, the iMiEV benefits from the packaging advantages inherent to electric propulsion. The Li-Ion batteries are located beneath the passenger department, and the small electric engine is rear-midships. Thus, despite a sub-four meter’s length, it’s roomy enough for four. The Innovative Vehicle’s interior is airy but spartan/simple– no expensive materials for a lightweight car that wants to be affordable for commuters. I could only take the Mitsu EV for a few-minutes’ spin in a parking lot, so I can’t verify any of company’s range or speed claims. But acceleration is strong, smooth and silent, the steering is pleasant, and it brakes in a solid fashion. It feels like a proper, developed car, not like a prototype. No magic-year nonsense; commercial sales will begin in 2009. If Mitsubishi can keep their performance promises, this one’s a winner, at least for urban early adopters.
*clapping*
Bravo to the Mitsu! This is the kind of news I like to hear. As a long time Subaru & WRC fan, I have heaps of respect for Mitsubishi and their apparent commitment to development. I’ll be interested to see what they can do with this.
I imagine if they bring it to the US it will also qualify for that $7500 tax credit that was earmarked for the Volt. And it would probably cost about half of what the Volt will cost.
I hope they bring it to the US ASAP – this thing will sell out in no time.
Looks like a great little EV. But cost is going to be $37,000. according to Mitsu. I’d rather have a Volt, if I could, at that price. Subsidies or not. Also first year is for “fleets” in Japan. Just more testing, it is really not ready.
@Juniper, That $37k number is a conversion from foreign currency; if you do that for other cars sold in Europe and Japan you get unrealistic numbers. Having said that, yes, EV’s will always be more expensive than conventional cars, for the forseeable future, but their operating costs are substantially lower. Better get used to it.
If only it were any Japanese company but Mitsu.
My wife had one when we got married. It was one of the first things I took care of to get her on the road to personal financial independence. Though she had put decent money down on a regular 60 month loan, the three year old hunk of junk was $2,000 in the hole.
A good friend had one sieze up a month out of warranty.
I wouldn’t step up to 37k for a mitsu. Sorry.
I can see how an electric car COULD be worth the extra money due to lower operating costs, but I wouldn’t be an early adapter with mitsu or GM.
edit: okay, I see the 37k is questionable. Anyone know the real price?
Paul
I agree, that is why I compared it to the Volt. If it happens, it will be a larger more usable EV for not much more money.
Or what you are saying is the Japanese and Europeans are dumping their vehicles here with artificial low prices.
How much do you think they will charge for this little EV?http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/07/14/mitsubishi-imiev-to-be-priced-around-37-000-at-launch/
If it looked more like an iQ, I’d give them 25k for it.
That price is in the range of those EV modded Smart Cars.
Juniper, The AutoblogGreen lists the prospective price in Japan. This is a kei class car, so it would need major re-engineering to meet US safety standards. In any case, if/when it comes, Mitsubishi will have to price it according to market conditions, and presumably, it will qualify for fed tax credits. It will be a couple of years before this really is for sale to the public, and by then the picture should be clearer. But it won’t be be cheap, regardless.
My biggest problem with Mitsu products is the engine and the tranny. This EV eliminates both so I feel alot better about it than the average Mitsubishi.
Good for them.
Take that, GM.
Too bad Mitsubishi won’t sell this thing here. Otherwise GM could see the point in producing a pure EV.
“Being a totally new car, the iMiEV benefits from the packaging advantages inherent to electric propulsion.”
Not totally new. It’s an electrified Mitsubishi i, though they may have had an electric drivetrain in mind when they designed it.
Mitsubishi has had this one in the works for a long time
http://www.autobloggreen.com/tag/miev
The projected Japanese price is closer to $25K after local EV subsidies
Subaru has one as well
http://www.autobloggreen.com/tag/r1e
Bollore/Pininfarina have one:
http://www.autobloggreen.com/tag/bollore
All slated for 2009/2010 release.
Unveiled in Paris as a Concept in 2000, the German Automaker’s Production Version Carries Pure Racing Genes and Showcases Future Porsche Technology. Stuttgart, Germany-based Dr.
http://www.autotruckserviceinc.com
Actually looks like a VW Beetle and an Audi TT had a 3-way with an electric city car with this being the result. I like it though.
http://www.superdupercars.com