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

The four new Mitsubishi i-MiEVs, part funded by the Government’s Low Carbon Procurement Partnership (LCVPP), are the first step to achieving the 1,000 electric cars that the Mayor aims to bring into the city’s fleet over the next few years.

The new electric cars, with specially designed livery to distinguish them from traditional petrol and diesel cars, will be used by TfL to ensure that roadworks comply with its permit scheme to keep traffic moving.

By the end of this year, TfL will have up to 10 electric cars in its fleet.

Increasing the number of fleet cars is one element of the Mayor’s plans to boost electric car numbers to 100,000 as soon as possible.

Over the coming year, 1,600 charge points will be installed across the Capital with numbers rising to 7,500 by 2013 and 25,000 points will be in place by 2015.

By then, with 2,500 charge points installed in publicly accessible areas, on average no Londoner will be further than a mile from any charge point.

The number of electric cars in mainstream use is forecast to significantly increase in the coming years as many of the leading car manufacturers are planning to launch new electric car models in the UK.

The move comes as the Governor’s office and the Department of General Services both expressed interest in the inclusion of electric vehicles (EV), such as the i-MiEV, into the State’s support vehicle fleet.

During a May 24th press event, Governor Schwarzenegger was introduced to the Mitsubishi Motors i-MiEV by company officers. Schwarzenegger sat in the i-MiEV and later spoke to a panel of reporters about the battery electric vehicle being representative of the technology necessary to tackle the sustainable transportation challenges facing the State of California.

Key committees within the California State Legislature seek to gain experience with battery electric transportation to help better understand and resolve the challenges facing the development of electric vehicle infrastructure. Lawmakers and officials will have these vehicles available for extended test-drives to learn the nuances of driving an EV and experience the recharging process.

The i-MiEV went on sale in Japan in July of 2009. This efficiently-designed, battery electric, sub-compact vehicle seats four adults, and can be recharged from a standard wall-socket. The State of California will be evaluating production model RHD Japanese Domestic Market versions of the i-MiEV. Mitsubishi Motors plans to introduce an EV for U.S. consumers in 2011.

Mitsubishi and PSA Peugeot Citroen signed a Framework Agreement in September 2009, following which both parties reached a final consensus on development and supply of electric cars based on the i-MiEV for the European market.

Peugeot and Citroen expect to sell 25,000 of the new electric cars each year.

Production will start in October ahead of models launches by the end of 2010.

The C-Zero is Citroen’s version of the Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV. Peugeot’s version is called the iOn.

In Japan, the i-MiEV has already been on the market since July 2009 whilst production of export left-hand-drive versions has been scheduled to start in October 2010 for some time. The i-MiEV has also been planned for European launch at the end of 2010. Its charging system will be compatible with European 220/240 volt household outlets, providing for a zero-to-full charge within an estimated maximum seven hours.

It does qualify for a healthy 1,390,000 million yen tax break which brings the cost of the i-MiEV down to a slightly more palatable $31,000.

Mitsubishi will increase production of its i-MiEV electric car by 20 percent from an original plan for fiscal 2010 to 8,500 vehicles and will also move full-scale production of the i-MiEV a year ahead to fiscal 2012, with over 30,000 units to be built every year.

This year, Mitsubishi will start selling the i-MiEV in Europe through Peugeot Citroen PSA, and will also start exporting i-MiEV electric cars to the U.S. in fiscal 2011, leading to a further increase in production.

The Mitsubishi i-MiEV is powered by a 16 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery 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 has a stated range of 160 kilometers (100 miles) for the Japan 10-15 mode drive. The car’s top speed is limited to 130 kilometers per hour (80 mph).

The i-MiEV uses a lightweight and compact single-speed reduction gear transmission, exploiting the high low-end torque inherent to the electric motor and eliminating the need for complex gear shifting mechanisms as found in internal combustion engine powered vehicles.

The high-voltage system, battery pack included, is located inside the body frame and is further protected by a well-crib frame against damage from any direction of impact.

The MiEV OS (MiEV Operating System) gathers data and information from all the major EV components to provide integrated management of the i-MiEV ’s performance. The advanced management system constantly monitors battery status and the energy recovered from the regenerative brakes while regulating output to ensure smooth and powerful acceleration from a full stop. As a result the system optimizes and minimizes energy consumption while delivering road performance that is comfortable, safe and reassuring.

Mitsubishi is hoping that electric vehicles will make up 20 per cent of its sales by 2020.