Concept Electric Cars
Mitsubishi's Electric Concept Car - 2009 i MiEV Sport Air Electric Car
Mitsubishi is at it again, and now presenting a clear new look on the world, in more ways than one. The clear removable top of the i MiEV SPORT AIR Electric Concept Car will be premiered at the forthcoming 2009 Geneva Motor Show. Taking a step beyond being merely 'green', this all-electric zero CO2 emission sports concept builds upon the fundamentals of the EV by marrying: the powerful acceleration and high torque inherent to electric motors, the safe driving dynamics that stem from i MiEV's lithium-ion battery pack located within its long wheelbase and the low centre of gravity
Mitsubishi's Concept Electric Car: 2009 : i MiEV Electric Car
Mitsubishi Motors is no newcomer when it comes to electric cars. Their involvement in electric vehicle development began with the Minicab EV in 1971. Since then the company has continued its R&D on electric vehicles (EV), concentrating principally on motors and batteries. In 2006, the company developed the i MiEVa new-generation EV, and is currently working with several power companies with a view to bringing it to market. A public road testing program has already produced a range of valuable and useful data, and hence its reintroduction in 2009 at the Geneva Motor Show.
Click on image for larger view
(Side view below)
The EV is Cheaper To Run!
The cost of driving an EV 100 km is one-third that of a comparable 660cc gasoline minicar. If nighttime power is used to charge the batteries the cost is further reduced to around one-ninth or less, giving the EV a clear economic advantage. The EV can benefit from an energy regeneration system when driving downhill, decelerating or braking, employing the motor as a generator to achieve more effective energy utilization.
And Green Too!
Electric vehicles return superior environmental performance compared to vehicles using other sources of power. For example, they generate zero on- road CO2 emissions. Even in terms of well - to-wheel performance (efficiency of entire process, from fuel production and supply to operating the vehicle), which includes CO2 emissions produced in electric power generation, the EV emits only about 30 percent of the CO2 generated by a gasoline powered car of
comparable size. With future improvement in the environmental performance of sources used for electric power generation, EV CO2 emissions will drop still further.
Mitsubishi – Leader In Battery Power Technology
Mitsubishi Motors turned to the lithium-ion battery at an early stage because of its high energy density and power density, and has continued its development of this type of battery to further improve performance. As a result, fleet monitor vehicles developed jointly with several electric
power companies have achieved a cruising range of 160 km (10-15 mode driving pattern) on a
single charge. The company has also developed a compact, lightweight, high-power, highly efficient permanent magnet synchronous motor.
Click on image for larger view
Charge It Anywhere
The i MiEV’s batteries can be charged using a regular 100V or 200V domestic outlet or can be quick-charged using a 3-phase, 200V supply when on the road. Charging with a 100V regular household supply takes 14 hours (7 hours with a 200V supply). Collaborative research and development with several power companies has led to the development of a quick charging
system capable of recharging to 80% capacity in 30 minutes.
Mitsubishi coined the term drive@Earth for Earth Day 2008 To read more about the 2009 Mitsubishi Concept Electric Car, see the Mitsubishi website at:
http://www.mitsubishicars.com/MMNA/jsp/company/theenvironment.do