Mitsubishi expands iMiEV road show to New Zealand
Mitsubishi has been running field tests with its iMiEV electric micro-car in Japan and elsewhere for some time now with an eye toward a market introduction some time in 2009. In addition to the field tests, the company has been drumming up interest for the car in the United States, the UK and Europe in hopes of getting interest from consumers and governments for both infrastructure and purchase incentives. The latest addition to the itinerary is New Zealand where Kiwis will get to check out the lithium ion-powered four-seater thanks to cooperation with local utility Meridian Energy. Unlike most utilities, Meridian also has the claim to fame of being a 100 percent renewable power provider with hydroelectric and wind generation. If there is enough interest in the iMiEV after the February 2009 tour, New Zealand could be high up on the list to get the production version since, like Australia and Japan, it's a right hand drive market and the car would not have to be re-engineered.
[Source: Mitsubishi]
Mitsubishi Motors to evaluate zero-emissions i MiEV electric vehicle in New Zealand
- Cooperation planned with 100% sustainable power provider Meridian Energy -
Tokyo, September 16, 2008 - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC), in cooperation with its New Zealand subsidiary Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand (MMNZ), will show the zero-emissions i MiEV*1 electric vehicle in New Zealand as a preparatory step toward a possible future introduction to the local market and to create greater public awareness of electric vehicles.
The move will be carried out in cooperation with state-owned electric power company Meridian Energy, New Zealand's largest energy provider, which generates 100% of its electric power through renewable resources such as hydroelectric and wind generation.
Mitsubishi Motors and Meridian will launch a promotional tour of the country sometime after February 2009. Representatives from national and local government will be given the chance to drive the car, in order to spur discussions about possible subsidies as well as developments in infrastructure and marketing considerations.
MMC is currently working to bring the i MiEV electric vehicle to market in Japan during 2009. Because vehicles in New Zealand have their steering wheels on the right side of the car, the same as Japan, MMC will consider the country a likely candidate for early introduction of its zero-emissions electric vehicle if market conditions prove favorable.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
gorr 11:01AM (9/17/2008)
This is a post-war car. I mean after you been ruined by goverment and big oil and the chatters that opposed hydrogen gas and green algae fuels, then there is maybe this peanut-car left to dream about at one quarter the performance of a civic with 8 hours recharge time.
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meme 11:40AM (9/17/2008)
1) Hydrogen is an idiotic fuel -- expensive, fuel cells cost an utter fortune, the cycle is ridiculously inefficient, range barely better than a modern electric (and it gets worse if you use a storage medium), corrosive, bulky, fuel cells are heavy, environmentally destructive to make, have subpar lifespans, and on and on down the line. They really have zero advantages over modern automotive li-ion batteries. You may not *like* this, but it's the reality of the situation.
2) Every time that algae fuel has been tried in the past, it's been way too expensive, thanks largely to capital costs. Certainly companies are welcome to try and break this losing streak, but I certainly wouldn't bet my future on it.
3) 1/4 the performance of a Civic? Wow, I didn't know that the Civic had the same performance as a Bugatti Veyron. I've got to get me one of those!
4) The MiEV has a 30 minute recharge time.
Mike 9:57PM (2/10/2009)
I think the iMiev is an exceptionally sound piece of engineering. Unlike many electric predecessors it can hill climb and the 160km range is more than enough for the vast majority of journeys . It even has a 5min recharge if you are desperate - this depletes the battery lifespan - but will suffice if you need to go a long distance. Just recharge halfway in the same time it takes to fill your tank, and for only $3.50 (amazing, but true). Hydrogen fuel cells are - as meme pointed out - a far more difficult way of providing power, with many technical problems. Electricity is here now. The Li4ep0d batteries (Lithium Ion) are recyclable and exceptionally powerful. Plus they don't explode!
Electricity is the fuel of the future. Nice one Mitsubishi for showing such leadership. Now get it onto the New Zealand market - I'll be the first person at your showroom booking a test drive, and I know plenty of other people in Wellington who think the same.
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