Mitsubishi is continuing the development of the i-EV (formerly the i-MiEV) prototype electric car.  The car has been fleet tested and is now ready to go into production or so it would seem.  There are two movements already started to bring this electric car to the UK and the U.S.

Why is the i-EV so popular? The i-EV gets 160 km ( 99.4 miles) to the charge.  This is certainly not as far as other recently announced electric vehicles like the Aptera,  which gets 120 miles (193.1 km) per charge.  One major difference is that the i-EV is a four seater and the Aptera is a two seater.  Both boast large storage compartments, but when it comes right down to it, a four seater is much more versatile.  For one thing, you can actually carry your children with you or your child and a friend.  More than one friend can ride along with you in your ultra cool, economical electric car.

The Mitsubishi has put the lithium battery system under the floor and the electric motor and inverter in the back.  The  placement of the battery system adds stability to the car.  There are no  specific details on interior or safety features.

Mitsubishi has added one new innovation by giving the i-EV two different charging ports for different charging situations. The i-EV has a charging port on each side.  One allows the car to be charged using normal household or parking lot charging, and the other allows for using a “Quick Charging System”.  The household/parking lot method takes about 7 hours and the Quick Charging System takes about 30 minutes to get it to 80%.

Mitsubishi is asking for UK drivers interested in having the i-EV offered in the UK, to show their interest by signing up on line for further information.  If you are American, you can sign this petition asking Mitsubishi to bring the i-EV to the U.S.

Since many electric cars will be available only in California, at least initially, petitioning Mitsubishi might get at least one electric car available to the rest of the U.S.!

Related:

Which electric car is for you? Subaru’s STELLA or Mitsubishi’s i-EV

The fully electric sportscar is here at last

Range Rover joins the ranks of electric car makers

Vacuum King, Sir James Dyson, wants to create an electric car

BMW tests fleet of all-electric Minis in the US

Entry was posted on Saturday, May 3rd, 2008 at 3:30 pm under Science and technology, Technology.  Print This Post

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