Mitsubishi Motors, U.S. Utilities to Collaborate on Testing of Zero-Emissions i MiEV
Mitsubishi Motors Corp. announced today that it has signed letters of intent with two large American utilities -- Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas & Electric -- to collaborate on testing the zero-emissions i MiEV four-passenger electric vehicle later this year.
Extensive testing of the i MiEV (pronounced I-meev) has been occurring the past two years with seven utility companies in Japan. The success of those programs has prompted Mitsubishi Motors to hasten testing elsewhere and to accelerate the vehicle's entry to market, with sales in Japan scheduled to start next summer.
Under its agreement with SCE, i MiEVs will join the utility's mighty prototype testing and evaluation program. The collaboration "will provide us technical feedback on i MiEV vehicle and battery performance, as well as vehicle connection and integration into the electrical system," Mitsubishi Motors executive Tohru Hashimoto said in a statement.
Through this program, SCE hopes to help Mitsubishi Motors gauge how EVs will most effectively connect to Edison's SmartConnect advanced metering system.
Edward Kjaer, SCE's director of electric transportation, said inclusion of the i MiEV into its fleet of EVs and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles complements the utility's existing work on electric-powered autos and next-generation advanced batteries.
SCE, which operates the nation's largest private fleet of electric vehicles, has more than 20 years and 16 million miles of EV experience.
The i MiEV electric vehicle, which is based on Mitsubishi's "i" gasoline-powered minicar on sale in Japan, adapts a zero-emissions state-of-the-art electric drivetrain. A 330-volt lithium-ion battery system is located under the floor deck and powers a permanent magnet electric motor.
The i MiEV is able to offer the same level of interior utility and space as the gasoline version, plus a lower center of gravity for better handling. The 47-kilowatt electric motor offers quicker acceleration than the 64-horsepower gasoline version.
The i MiEV's advanced lithium-ion battery, developed by Lithium Energy Japan, has achieved up to 100 miles of emissions-free travel between charges under the 10-15 mode cycle currently used in Japan for emission certification.
Through daily use, PG&E will gauge the viability of using all-electric vehicles in its operations and further understand the impact of charging EVs on the electric grid. The testing will provide PG&E and Mitsubishi Motors with vehicle usage data, which will be used to publicly demonstrate and validate the benefits of dedicated electric vehicles within the California market.
PG&E has been researching the benefits of electric vehicles since the last decade.
Andrew Tang, a PG&E executive, said that "partnering with automakers like Mitsubishi is vital to developing compatible infrastructures to support electric vehicles in the marketplace and ensure responsible integration with the grid."
Scott Doggett, Contributor
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- Scott Doggett August 7, 2008, 6:01 AM
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- Batteries, Emissions, Fuel Economy, Hybrid, Mitsubishi, Plug-ins and Electric
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- Batteries, Electric Vehicle, EV, Fuel Efficient, i MiEV, iMiEV, Mitsubishi Motors, PG&E, PHEV, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, SCE, Zero Emissions
Of the potential electric cars likely to hit the market in the next few years, this one is my favourite.
It would be the perfect companion to our Grand Cherokee and should be able 75% of the trips we use the Jeep for.
Now if only our local electric company would start offering cheap off peak rates like some other areas have.