Mitsubishi launches iMiEV micro-site
Mitsubishi has been showing off and field testing its iMiEV electric car this year in preparation for a limited production launch in 2009-10. To help spread the word, the Japanese automaker has launched a new micro-site dedicated to the battery powered micro-car. On the site, Mitsubishi explains some of the technology choices made for the oddly named car. The iMiEV uses a lithium ion battery pack mounted under the floor to provide a range of about 100 miles. The i that the iMiEV is based on features a rear mounted engine which is replaced with a permanent magnet motor driving the rear wheels. The batteries are coming from a new joint venture between Mitsubishi and GS Yuasa. The site also features videos about the car and a paper craft version that you can make for yourself. Domenick is evaluating that one in the AutoblogGreen garage right now and will have a full review shortly. Thanks for the tip Yanquetino!
[Source: Mitsubishi]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
a.brien 2:09PM (7/05/2008)
These little batteries cars will be safer with a small gasoline or diesel range extender. Wal-mart sell a 150$ small gasoline electric generator. So with a little bigger one with a 3 gallons tank, it will add 200$-300$ to the price of the car and permit up to 5 times the range and some more speed too. Any technician can come-up with this idea in minutes. 30 lbs more for the generator and 30 lbs more for the fuel tank and 300$ more for the price and 5 times more range for the longer and faster trips for your favorite hollidays on weekends.
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Mike!!ekiM 2:50PM (7/05/2008)
Maybe they could add one with a trailer hitch?, or an after-market seller?
hodad66 2:56PM (7/05/2008)
An add on small trailer...... for long trips. The genset simply in tow with plug-in to recharge while on the go.
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Yanquetino 4:06PM (7/05/2008)
Brien: The idea of a range-extender generator makes sense, but it would take a much larger one than the $184 model at Wal-Mart. It is only rated at 1200W.
According to what RAV4-EV owners tell me, a generator for their vehicles has to be capable of producing at least 20kW (16 times more powerful!) to allow sustained driving (replenishing as much electricity and the vehicle is draining). And more would be better if driving conditions are demanding (steep grades, etc.).
Unfortunately, generators that size cost at least $4,000 and up! And you would need a trailer to tow one that bulky. As a matter of fact, AC Propulsion designed just such a trailer for the RAV4-EV using a Kawasaki 500cc engine:
http://www.evnut.com/rav_longranger.htm
Since 98% of drivers do not exceed the iMiEV's range on a daily basis, the need for such a range-extender is actually pretty minimal. Still, perhaps someday Mitsubishi will offer such a trailer as an accessory...? Time will tell.
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Doug 5:23PM (7/05/2008)
Would be nice if you could just rent such a trailer when needed.
Joce03 6:32PM (7/05/2008)
In ideas when (if) these cars will be available in North America. I'd buy one today.
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Yanquetino 7:25PM (7/05/2008)
Joce03:
I am with you! I'd buy an iMiEV right now if they were available. And so would 1,678 others who have signed the petition to date:
http://www.petitiononline.com/iMiEV/petition.html
However, Mitsubishi has yet to make a firm commitment to bring the iMiEV to North America. Nonetheless, they have announced that this fall they will deliver a couple of them to electric companies in this country, probably in California, for further durability testing and market evaluation.
The fact that they would post this new site in English is also encouraging. I suspect that, since they're providing 10 iMiEVs to shuttle visitors at the G8 conference next week, they anticipate that many of them will ask about a web site where they could learn more about the vehicle --so they quickly put this one together.
I also get the impression that the biggest obstacle they face is acquiring enough batteries to meet the burgeoning demand. For example, on the web site they state that "Lithium Energy Japan" (which Mitsubishi has formed jointly with Yuasa), is supposed to produce 200,000 cells in 2009. Yet they also state that in the iMiEV there are 4 lithium cells per module, and 22 modules, i.e., 88 cells in the entire battery pack. By my calculations this means that, at the most, they will only be able to build about... 2,270 iMiEVs the first year.
They'd better start a waiting list! Where can I sign up and put down a deposit?
iwantanelectriccar 7:57PM (7/05/2008)
America desperately needs an electric car. I sure do. This is one way to escape from the OPEC straightjacket. They all hate us so lets "throw this oil binge tea" into oblivian, one step at a time.
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Rick 8:30PM (7/05/2008)
I too would be damn tempted to trade in the minivan to get one of these if they brought it over.
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Michael 8:34PM (7/05/2008)
Yeah, I'd probably buy one too.
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Ben Brown 9:51PM (7/05/2008)
I know two people who have said they would purchase a iMiEV if it was offered (or perhaps even a downpayment) this year. I wish there was a sign up list, I'd like to be on it.
Ben
also, how do I get on the IMiEV website?
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Yanquetino 10:20PM (7/05/2008)
Ben:
Here's the new iMiEV site (English version):
http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/special/ev/index.html
Here's the papercraft iMiEV model (PDF file):
http://www.mitsubishi-motors.co.jp/special/papercraft/pdf/color/imiev.pdf
I assume that you've already signed the petition to bring it to North America:
http://www.petitiononline.com/iMiEV/petition.html
ug 12:34AM (7/06/2008)
They should spend less effort on websites and more effort on making this vehicle before we all resort to riding bikes.
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Nathaniel 1:24AM (7/06/2008)
Price please and when can i sign on the dotted line.
I love this car. i would give up my HCH II in a minute for this.
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wave54 1:04PM (7/06/2008)
No real answers, but best guesses if Mitsubishi commits to North America:
$25K+ and 3 years at the earliest.
The car has the same size lithium-ion battery pack as the Volt, so I wouldn't expect a lower price -- but who knows, by that time...
Ben 11:02AM (7/07/2008)
Yanquetino, thanks... I've signed up to be notified. Wow, I'm a bit sad about a possible 3 year wait (wave54). We have to have a car sooner than that and I'm not buying any vehicle that attaches to me like a leech. (re: gas OR electric cars that require a lease or renting a battery). Any suggestions?
It may be this Fall's (and Winter's and Spring's) project will be learning to build my own electric car - hope not.
I wonder what can be done to get the subtitles up in English for the videos. Who do we contact?
Ben the iMiEV fan
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Serge 12:01PM (7/07/2008)
Ben: Mitsubishi's production plans were covered in this article http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/06/17/mitsubishis-electric-car-plans-revealed
Looking at 3 years wait and lease-only.
Gulf War 3 9:35AM (7/27/2008)
Yanquetino, Thanks for the link to that range extender site! Interesting that it only weighs 350#s for that system.
That would be a great idea for the auto companies to come up with a standardized external range extender, which could work on multiple cars. That way, you only have to buy one, then could shift its use to your other or newer electric cars you might buy in the future. They probably wouldn't get used that often, so they could potentially last 40-50 years.
One thing I would like to see though is instead of it being towed, it would go on top of the car in an aerodynamic shell with a low profile. Towing things are a pain + towed things can easily get stolen.
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Wm W. McGraw 5:26PM (4/13/2009)
GM, Ford and Crysler ought to be pummeled for not producing such a vehicle. I would buy one, not rent but realize the lithium batteries won't last much more than 3 years with daily use and charging. Much lighter materials than steel and iron should be used--carbon fiber and a variety of cellulose, ceramic, porcelain, plexiglass and polymers are plentiful and can be recycled. I would want an option of a small 3 cyl gas or diesel engine involved with a CVT. Toyota is toying with a diesel in its Prius as well as plug-in and larger battery packs. None of this will be useful if gas is still in the $2 range, meaning more expensive costs per mile driven and I suspect the recession/depression with unemployment might lower the gas price due to less demand, same with homes and other consumer items. Our dollar might inflate, they say, but it could deflate if prices go down. We're in a hell of a fix anyway but with our ability to design, discover solutions and manufacture what we need, we need to do it here in the USA.
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Lawrence Rhodes 12:09PM (6/06/2009)
The point of electric cars is not to use gas. I can understand the fear of running out of fuel but that can happen with a gas car too. There are many more plugs in this country than gas stations. I say have no fear & use this vehicle as you would any other car. The exception being cross country travel. You have a hundred mile range. Plan ahead accordingly. Don't forget with electric cars it's not the range you have to worry about it's the charging time. Lawrence Rhodes.
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