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.

By the end of March 2012, the approved dealerships will have two fully trained EV sales personnel as well as aftersales technicians.

In addition, the company has indicated it will introduce its first plug-in hybrid vehicle to the UK within 18 months.

All Mitsubishi EV Centers will have i-MiEV demonstrator vehicles for customers to try out over “a prolonged period” so they can experience driving and owning an electric for themselves.

The Japanese manufacturer launched the all-electric i-MiEV worldwide last year, while also debuting the MINICAB-MiEV, a light commercial electric van, on the Japanese market in November.

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.

Mitsubishi and Suzuki are currently working on details; however plans are for initial supply to Suzuki to begin in February 2012, building up to full-scale supply in the 2012 fiscal year.

The Minicab-MiEV is the second vehicle in Mitsubishi’s electric vehicle lineup and is expected to debut by the end of 2011. Meanwhile, Suzuki will market the EVs under its brand, adding the first EV to its lineup.

Mitsubishi plans to build around 4,000 of the vehicles in the financial year to next March.

Suzuki already supplies its Solio subcompact to Mitsubishi Motors, which sells it as the Delia D:2.

The Concept PX-MiEV II is a two-motor plug-in hybrid system running on a lithium ion battery and a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder gasoline engine. One motor powers the front wheels, the other the rear ones.

Mitsubishi uses technology lifted from its i-MiEV (or i in the U.S.) electric city car and a conventional gasoline engine. Mitsubishi claims the Concept PX-MiEV II has a range of 800 km (496 miles) and can travel as far as 60 km (140 mpg) per liter or fuel consumed under Japan’s testing cycle, which is not comparable to the U.S. or European fuel-economy measures.

Mitsubishi says the Concept PX-MiEV II can travel as far as 50 km (31 miles) on battery power alone. The gasoline engine can be used as a generator or drive the wheels directly. The Concept PX-MiEV II uses a 2.0-liter MIVEC four-cylinder engine making 94 horsepower combined with two 80-horsepower electric motors that drive Mitsubishi’s S-AWC (Super-All Wheel Control) four-wheel-drive system – the same system used in the Lancer Evolution X. Mitsubishi claims the instant torque from the electric motors help it accelerate like a 3.0-liter V6 engine.

Another feature of the drivetrain is that it can operate in either series or parallel hybrid mode.

At lower speeds or when the battery is low, it can work as a series with the engine acting as a generator to recharge the battery, but not to power the wheels. At higher speeds or when the battery is topped up, it acts as a parallel hybrid, with the engine recharging the battery and moving the wheels.

Under the floorboards is a lithium ion battery with about the same capacity as the i electric vehicle that goes on sale in the United States this month. But because the PX-MiEV II is heavier and equipped with all-wheel drive, it doesn’t achieve the i’s electric-only driving distance.

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.

The partnership structure of three major players in the wireless charging, electric infrastructure, and EV areas coming together will accelerate the popularization of wireless charging systems for EVs by developing systems that are usable “right out of the box” for individuals, governments, and other entities including power companies in order to make it easier and quicker for them to roll out such systems.

The aim of the collaboration is to make EVs remarkably more convenient for owners by accelerating the popularization (and thus availability) of wireless charging at homes and shopping center parking lots, etc.

Wireless charging systems allow transfer of energy from a source placed on or under the ground, to a vehicle equipped with an energy capture device.

Charging occurs automatically when the vehicle is parked, with no physical contact between the vehicle and the charging source. WiTricity has already developed and brought to market its patented magnetic resonance wireless charging system.

WiTricity says it has developed a system that can transfer energy further and more efficiently in comparison to conventional systems such as electromagnetic induction and microwave transmission, by being able to deliver up to 3.3 kW of charging power across distances of 20cm (almost 8 inches) and at an efficiency rate of more than 90%.

The three companies will evaluate ways to incorporate wireless charging systems into EV charging infrastructure as well as clarify legal matters regarding the new technology and create proposals for rules governing the use of such systems. They will also test wireless charging systems with EVs fitted with power charging receptors internally.

“Electric vehicles offer great potential for reducing CO2 emissions and reliance on fossil fuels,” said WiTricity CEO Eric Giler. “However, they must be user friendly, and wireless charging is an important feature that greatly improves the user experience.

Kazuaki Kama, IHI president and CEO said: “Wireless charging is strategic to IHI. We believe user-friendly wireless charging will contribute to the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.

“Working together with Mitsubishi Motors and WiTricity, leaders in electric vehicles and wireless technology, we aim to become a leading world-wide supplier of wireless charging stations for public, commercial, and residential parking environments.”

The entry-level Mitsubishi i ES model will see its net value change to $29,125 ($21,625 after tax credit), while the premium-grade SE version of the electric vehicle will have a new net value price of $31,125 ($23,625 after tax credit).

The Mitsubishi i SE with Premium package is now priced at $33,915, which drops to $26,415 after the $7,500 tax credit is applied.

The pricing adjustment applies only to the suggested MSRP pricing of the vehicle. The value-oriented pricing of options such as the Cold Zone package ($150) that consists of a main lithium-ion battery warming system and heated outside mirrors and the Premium package ($2790) that includes HDD navigation system with rear camera, FUSE Handsfree Link System with USB port, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, and a DC quick charging port remain unaffected.

The Mitsubishi i can be charged using the onboard household charger through either 120V or 240V power sources or by a DC quick-charger system that utilizes a three-phase 220V power supply (80% charge in 30 minutes). The charging times from a very low battery to completely full are approximately 6 hours at 240V and 22.5 hours at 120V.Mitsubishi is targeting a driving range of 85 miles for the vehicle.

The base model Mitsubishi i ES packs a full complement of welcome standard equipment and amenities. These include speed-sensitive electric power steering (EPS), LED rear tail lamps, driver seat heater, electric air conditioning with micron filter, remote keyless entry, 3-spoke sport steering wheel, an on-board recharging system with 120V portable 8 amp charging cable, and a 4 speaker, 100-watt AM/FM/CD audio system with MP3/WMA playback.

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.