Mitsubishi will be aiming for victory in the Electric Class with the i-MiEV Evolution, a specially-prepared competition version based on the ‘i’ electric car.

Mitsubishi will also be bringing production ‘i’ electric car that has been updated with a more aerodynamic front bumper and new safety equipment.

The i-MiEV Evolution has been developed in cooperation with several partner companies including Meidensha Corporation and GS Yuasa Corporation.

Driving the i-MiEV Evolution in the Pikes Peak event and also serving as team manager will be Mr. Hiroshi Masuoka – the first Japanese driver to post consecutive overall victories in the Dakar Rally. The Mitsubishi i will be piloted by Ms. Beccy Gordon, a winner in the Score International Off-Road Racing Series.

i-MiEV Evolution
Developed for the Pikes Peak event, the i-MiEV Evolution basically uses the same motor, drive battery and other major components as the production i-MiEV fitted to a specially-designed racing-specific body which uses a tube-frame chassis and a carbon fibre cowl among other features designed to reduce weight and improve aerodynamic performance.

Comprising a single motor driving the front and two motors driving the rear wheels, the car’s four-wheel-drive system provides superior motive performance and handling.

L x W x H (mm) 4341 x 1900 x 1339
Occupants 1
Drivetrain 4-wheel drive
Motors Number 3 (1 front, 2 rear)
Max. output (kW) 240 (80 kW x 3)
Drive battery Rated capacity (kWh) 35
Chassis Specially-designed tube frame
Cowl Carbon fibre
Tyres 245/40R18

Mitsubishi ‘i‘
For the Pikes Peak event the production Mitsubishi ‘i’ has been modified using a more aerodynamic front bumper and fitted with roll bars and other safety equipment.

L x W x H (mm) 3675 (+280) x 1585 (+110) x 1615 (+5)
Occupants 4
Drivetrain Rear wheel drive
Motors Number 1
Max. output (kW/rpm) 49 (+2) / 3,000 – 6,000
Drive battery Rated capacity (kWh) 16
Tyres F: 145/65/R15
R: 175/60 (+5)/R15

Making its model year 2012 debut on the American market, the Mitsubishi i earns a score of 58, the highest Green Score awarded since the rankings began in 1998.

With a combined city and highway fuel economy of 112 miles per gallon equivalent, the Mitsubishi i outpaces all other vehicles currently sold in United States.

“Even taking into account the emissions generated from the electricity used to power the i-MIEV, it still handily outscores other vehicles on the market today,” said ACEEE lead vehicle analyst Shruti Vaidyanathan.

The Honda Civic Natural Gas, despite its improved fuel economy this year, appears in second place, tied with the Nissan Leaf. Rounding out the top six are the Toyota Prius, the Honda Insight, and the Smart ForTwo. This year, hybrids dominate the “Greenest” list occupying half of all spots. Highly efficient conventional gasoline vehicles also continue to have a presence on the “Greenest” list, claiming three of the top twelve spots.

This year saw the arrival of a number of new hybrid options for drivers from Hyundai, Kia, and Infiniti, but none broke into the top twelve.

The ceremony to celebrate the delivery of the 1,000th i-MiEV was held in Oslo on December 5 in the presence of Mr. Erik Solheim, Norway’s Minister of Environment and Development.

In Norway, electric car buyers can receive substantial incentives while installation of charging infrastructure is spreading fast.

Since its launch in Norway in January 2011, the i-MiEV has maintained the top spot in total sales volume of compact (A-segment) vehicles, including gasoline vehicles. This performance is a proof that the i-MiEV is a practical vehicle that can serve the demands of Norwegian consumers.

Mitsubishi i-MiEV is powered by a full-electric AC permanent magnet synchronous motor, delivering 49 kW (66 horsepower) at 2,500 – 8,000 rpm and 180 Nm of torque from 0 to 2,000 rpm. The car has a 16 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that recharges in 7 hours at 200 volts / 15 amps. It takes twice that long at 100 volts. The i-MiEV’s battery can also be “quick charged” at quick-charge stations which are currently being established throughout Japan. Charge with a quick-charger gun takes approximately 30 minutes for an 80% charge.

The i-MiEV’s maximum speed is 81 mph, with a range of roughly 100 miles on the Japanese test cycle, and 75 miles on the US cycle.

Depending on specifications, the Mitsubishi MINICAB-MiEV will carry a manufacturer’s recommended retail price of between 2.4 million yen and 2.971 million yen (between $31,140 and $38,550 at today’s exchange rate), before government subsidies. Including the government subsidies, the MINICAB-MiEV will start at 1.73 million yen ($22,300).

As with the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, the MINICAB-MiEV will be sold on a maintenance lease, credit or cash basis.

Derived from the MINICAB Van minicar-class commercial vehicle, the MINICAB-MiEV has been developed maximizing the technologies and knowhow gained from the development of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV in delivering the superior environmental performance inherent to an EV, together with the high levels of operating economy, payload capacity, drivability and reliability demanded of a commercial vehicle.

The MINICAB-MiEV will come with a choice of two sizes of drive battery to allow the customer to choose the cruising range best suited to his or her needs. The 10.5 kWh battery version provides a cruising range of 100km (62 miles), at JC08 mode, on a single charge, while the 16.0 kWh version takes this up to 150km (93 miles).

Mitsubishi Motors said it aims to sell 4,000 Minicab MiEVs by March 31. In the 12-month period starting next April it targets sales of 50,000 EVs, including the i-MiEV, Minicab-MiEV, and versions of both models built under original equipment manufacturing (OEM) deals.

The Japanese automaker has sold about 17,000 electric vehicles (EVs) globally so far, including those supplied under PSA Peugeot Citroen’s brands, since the launch of the tiny i-MiEV in mid-2009.

Commercial vehicles are usually owned longer and cover longer cumulative mileages than family cars; so the MINICAB-MiEV also offers possible advantages over a comparable gasoline-powered in terms of total operating cost, including the price of the vehicle, because the main running cost is just that of the comparatively inexpensive electricity used to charge its battery. Further, because the MINICAB-MiEV can be charged at the business or at home it eliminates the need to make separate journeys to gasoline stations.

The MINICAB MiEV shares the following components with the i-MiEV: drive battery, motor, inverter, on-board charger, air-conditioner and rear suspension.

The MINICAB MiEV uses the same 10.5 kWh and 16.0 kWh lithium-ion drive batteries as the i-MiEV, and these provide a cruising range ample for normal minicar-class commercial vehicle use.

As on the i-MiEV, the driver can use the drive selector to choose from three modes: “D,” “Eco,” and “B.” This allows him or her to choose between normal operation, lower output/energy-saving operation, and operation in which the regenerative brake bias is increased.

All models are fitted with ABS and TCL (traction control) as standard, and with a vehicle-approaching alert system which, at vehicle speeds of approximately 25 km/h (15.5 mph) or less, emits an audible warning to alert pedestrians to the approach of the vehicle.

For regular charging purposes The MINICAB-MiEV comes standard with a 200V AC (15 amp) cable that fits outdoor sockets used for EV battery charging. A 100V AC (10 amp) cable and a Quick Charging Connector are available as factory-supplied options.

The MINICAB-MiEV comes in a choice of three body colors: White Solid, Cool Silver Metallic and Titanium Grey Metallic. Exclusive decals (for the body sides and tailgate) which accent the advanced nature of EVs are available as factory-supplied options.

The high-capacity drive battery is located under the floor and the motor, inverter and other EV components are located under the cargo compartment. The result is cargo compartment space and payload capacity of 350kg with two occupants.

These first fifty i-MiEVs mark the beginning of delivery of the largest single order ever taken to date for the Mitsubishi i-MiEV.

The provision of 507 i-MiEVs to the Estonian government was concluded between Mitsubishi Corporation and the Estonian government this past March as a part of an agreement to purchase 10 million tons of emissions rights. Mitsubishi plans to complete shipment of the entire order to Estonia by the end of the 2011 fiscal year.

The Estonian government plans to use the i-MiEVs in public facilities (in the field of social welfare) as part of its policy to popularize electric cars nationwide, hoping to reduce CO2 emissions in the country. In addition, the Estonian government has already introduced subsidies for EV purchases and plans to set up charging infrastructure.

Mitsubishi will work to popularize electric cars in Estonia by providing technical support to the Estonian government in monitoring CO2 reductions and planning to start sales of the i-MiEV to the public in Estonia this coming November.

Mitsubishi is currently selling the i-MiEV in many countries and regions all over the world, including Japan, Europe, Hong Kong, Australia, and will start sales of the i-MiEV in the United States and Canada within the year.

In addition to Estonia, Mitsubishi is collaborating with other countries like the Principality of Monaco, Iceland, Denmark, Singapore, Thailand, and others in their efforts to popularize electric cars.

MMC has agreed with the government of Thailand on December 2010 to start a joint study for fleet testing of EVs. Based on the new agreements made this time, through two local electric companies, MMC will start specific testing for the popularization of electric vehicles in Thailand, such as researching its’ acceptability, marketability, as well as its’ charging infrastructure. The power supply structure in Thailand is divided into generating, transmitting, and distributing whereas both MEA and PEA ENCOM are responsible for the distributing process.

After its launch in Japan, the i-MiEV has been sequentially rolled out internationally to Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, 19 countries throughout Europe, among others, and also is planned for rollout in the United States and Canada this fall. In addition, MMC is in cooperation with numerous governments in their EV popularization initiatives, including the Principality of Monaco, Iceland, Denmark, Singapore.

The Metropolitan Electricity Authority is a state-owned utility. The MEA is responsible to acquire and supply the electric energy in the areas of Bangkok Metropolis, Samut Prakan and Nonthaburi provinces and to carry out the business related to electric energy.

PEA ENCOM, the subsidiary of the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA), was established as a state enterprise for the purpose of engaging in domestic and international business related to power energy investment. One mission is to develop renewable energy with sustainability in order to achieve sufficient revenues to facilitate further development which complies with the Thai Government Policy for the promotion of rational use of renewable energy.

The entry-level “M” will be available at the readily affordable price of ¥1,880,000 ($23,200) after receipt of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s eco-car subsidy.

The higher-level “G” will sport a more comprehensive equipment and trim specification with extended cruising range per charge and the “MiEV Remote System” that allows the owner to set the time he wants battery charging to start and finish and to pre-activate the climate control system before entering the car.

The “M” model will debut in Mitsubishi dealer showrooms throughout Japan on July 25 and the “G” model in the middle of August carrying a price tag ranging from ¥2,600,000 to ¥3,800,000 ($32,100 to $47,000) consumption tax inclusive.

Entry-level M
The newly offered “M” trim level is targeted as an entry-level model for a wide spectrum of drivers including minicar owners. The use of a 10.5 kWh drive battery and the careful tailoring of the equipment and trim specification have made it possible to offer “M” at a much more accessible price. The M model can go 120 km (75 miles) on a full charge measured under a stricter Japanese fuel economy reading.

Higher-level G
Inheriting the original i-MiEV’s specification, the “G” is offered as a higher capable trim level and targets customers with a keen interest in environmental issues and in advanced technologies. Product content has been significantly raised with the use of LED headlamps and rear combination lamps, 15-inch alloy road wheels, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter knob and other high-grade equipment. “G” also features a navigation system and heated seats (driver and front passenger) as standard and offers all this at a price lower than that of the original i-MiEV.

Using the same 16.0 kWh battery as the original i-MiEV, “G” now realizes around 20% increase in its single charge range or up to 180 km (110 miles).

Mitsubishi became the first major automaker to mass-produce pure electric cars with i-MiEV and leads the segment so far with 10,000 vehicles sold globally since mid-2009. It has exported another 4,000 electric cars for sale under PSA Peugeot Citroen’s brands.

Japanese rival Nissan Motor Co. has sold 8,500 LEAF electric cars globally since its launch in December 2010.

Specification comparison

Toshiba said it will manufacture the SCiB used in Mitsubishi’s new electric cars at its specialized SCiB plant in northern Japan, which opened in February.

Last year, the two companies had announced they were working together to bring the SCiB batteries to EVs.

Mitsubishi plans to roll out the lower-priced version of the i-MiEV electric car this summer with the retail price 2,000,000 yen (about $25,000). The range of the new model will be shortened to around 120 kilometers (75 miles) on a single charge, as fewer batteries will be installed to reduce costs.

The Toshiba SCiB rechargeable lithium-ion battery combines high levels of safety with a long life, rapid charging and excellent charging and output at very low temperatures, characteristics that make it highly suited to application in EV.

Toshiba developed the SCiB to meet a series of demanding performance and safety criteria. By successfully employing lithium titanate oxide in the anode, Toshiba has assured that the SCiB offers high level operating safety, a long life and rapid charging. The use of lithium titanate oxide also significantly reduces the possibility of a puncture in the separator between the anode and cathode, so minimizing the risk of them coming into contact and short circuiting, and maintains battery performance levels even in severe operating conditions, including very low temperatures.

The SCiB pushes the life of the lithium-ion battery to a new level by supporting 2.5 times more charge/discharge cycles than a typical lithium-ion battery. Recharging is also notably better. Charged with the highest current available with CHAdeMO, widely seen as the emerging standard for fast charging EV, an SCiB reaches about 80 percent of full capacity in some 15 minutes, about 50% in 10 minutes and about 25% in 5 minutes – half the times of a typical lithium-ion battery charged under the same conditions. The SCiB also generates little heat while recharging, eliminating the need for power to cool the battery module.

The rollout starts today, with two Mitsubishi i-MiEVs now available for Connect by Hertz members to zip around London. Hertz plans to add further i-MiEVs to its fleet throughout the year across the UK.

Customers will be able to charge their vehicles at Hertz charging stations located across the capital as well as at Heathrow and London City Airport. In addition, customers will have access to the Source London public charging points which are being rolled out across London by 2013, as part of the Mayor’s plans for London to become the electric vehicle capital of Europe.

The Mitsubishi i-MiEV can park in tight spaces and breeze through traffic while comfortably accommodating four adults. It has a range of over 90 miles and can be charged up to 80% via a quick charging unit in as little as 30 minutes or fully charged overnight via a standard 3 pin domestic plug socket.

On sale officially from August 2010, the Mitsubishi i-MiEV is also the world’s first ever pure-EV to have received the Euro NCAP 4-star Rating.

The Estonian government plans to use these i-MiEVs in public facilities as part of its aim at realizing the widespread use of electric vehicles throughout the country.

The deal is linked to an agreement that trading house Mitsubishi Corp has concluded with the Estonian government to purchase 10 million tons of emissions rights from the country under the so-called green investment scheme.

Mitsubishi will also provide technical support to the Estonian Government in monitoring CO2 reductions effected by introducing i-MiEV. The vehicles will be shipped to the country by the end of fiscal 2011 ending in March next year.

Estonia has set of goal of achieving a 10% share of renewable energy use in the transport sector. The Estonian Government noted that, with a population of only around 1.4 million people, Estonia may end up possessing the most dense and modern EV charging infrastructure and with most electric cars per capita.

Mitsubishi i-MiEV first went on sale in July 2009 mainly towards fleet customers and for individual customers in April 2010 in Japan, gaining appraisal for its high environmental performances, quietness, comfortable ride and dynamic performance. The company has sequentially expanded its sales to global scale after its release in Japan to Hong Kong, Australia and Europe — and will start its sales in Canada and the United States this fall.