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

MMC began production of the i-MiEVs for Europe from October of last year. Three months after starting shipment, about 2,500 units were shipped. This number includes Peugeot iOn and Citroën C-ZERO.

The first countries to receive the Mitsubishi i-MiEV are: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

In addition to the first 15 countries the car is to be sold in, there have been requests to introduce the i-MiEV from Finland, Serbia, Turkey, and Slovenia. In response to these requests, MMC plans to ship units to these countries in the near future, making the European countries the i-MiEV will be sold in to 19.

Later on, the i-MiEV will be sequentially introduced further within Mitsubishi Motors Europe’s territory.

This figure does not include electric vehicle production for PSA Peugeot Citroen.

Mitsubishi introduced the i-MiEV into the Japanese market in 2009, and has sold about 3,000 units to individuals and businesses nationwide (as of end October 2010).

The Japanese automaker also started left-hand drive European-spec i-MiEV production from October 2010, and is steadily proceeding with global rollout of EVs.

In fiscal year 2011, in order to further expand its production scale via starting North American-spec i-MiEV production, Mitsubishi plans to transfer production of the i-MiEV from the current commercial vehicle assembly line to the minicar assembly line for cars such as eK Wagon and i.

The North American version of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, in comparison to the Japanese- and European-spec i-MiEVs, features an enhanced, enlarged body structure to secure plenty of space for four adults and better meet the expectations of U.S. consumers.

Mitsubishi claims that the operating cost per mile of the electric i-MiEV is significantly cheaper than that of a comparable gasoline-powered vehicle. In Japan, the operating cost is only 1/3 that of the 660cc gasoline engine-powered version of the car, and the operating cost can drop even more significantly than that of its internal-combustion sibling by taking advantage of reduced electricity rates by recharging during nighttime or off-peak hours.

The power system consists of a permanent magnet synchronous electric motor and a high energy density lithium-ion battery pack that consists of 88 cells (22 modules, 4 battery cells per module) for a maximum battery capacity of 16 kWh. The battery modules can be installed either transversely or vertically; this packaging flexibility allows them to be stored underneath the cabin floor. All 88 cells reside within an extremely sturdy stainless steel capsule to provide maximum protection.

The i-MiEV also features a three-way battery charging system that allows the vehicle to be charged using the onboard household charger through either 110V (15A) or 220V (15A) power sources or by a quick-charger system that utilizes a three-phase 220V power supply. The charging times from a very low battery to completely full are approximately 8 hours at 220V and 16 hours at 110V. The three-phase 220V quick-charger can take a low battery all the way up to an 80% battery charge in under a remarkably fast 30 minutes. The three-phase quick-charger makes use of a special outlet that is accessible on the driver’s side of the vehicle, while the onboard household charger’s outlet is located on the passenger side of the i-MiEV.

Mitsubishi said also it will partner with U.S. companies Best Buy Co. and Eaton Corp. to provide American consumers with recharging devices for i-MiEV electric vehicles. By establishing a solid infrastructure for recharging the cars, the firm hopes to bolster sales down the road.

Mitsubishi Motors will have U.S. consumer electronics retailer Best Buy install the rechargers at customers’ residences. It will recommend the use of 220-volt equipment manufactured by electrical system firm Eaton. Eaton also plans to develop rechargers for installation at Mitsubishi Motor’s U.S. dealerships.

The automaker plans to roll out the i-MiEV in the U.S. next fall.

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.

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.