Mitsubishi i MiEV First Impressions

[Tideland Prius]

I've driven a variety of low-speed electric vehicles, and frankly none of them have imparted automotive characteristics any better than those supplied by a golf cart or the bumper cars we so fondly remember ramming into each other at the fair. Today that changed.

What did I drive?
I had the rare opportunity to drive a highway-capable fully electric vehicle that is in every sense of the word, a "car." Mitsubishi's i MiEV is an electrically-powered version of the Mitsubishi i, which is a Japanese kei-class vehicle, meaning it must meet certain diminutive dimensions and not be powered by anything larger than a 660-cc engine.

Mitsubishi engineers removed the i's gas engine and replaced it with a cutting-edge highly sophisticated battery system and electric motor to create the i MiEV, which is short for, Mitsubishi Innovative Electric Vehicle. The result is a maintenance-free plug-in electrically powered four-door vehicle capable of keeping up with traffic in town and in the country

Full Article

[Rokeby]

Tideland Prius,

Thanks for the post, I'm watching this car closely.

Originally Posted by Tideland Prius

...The result is a maintenance-free plug-in electrically powered four-door
vehicle capable of keeping up with traffic in town and in the
country.

Now you're talkin'.

I guess the sporty 2-door version, the "Sport Air" is still a ways off yet.

[Tideland Prius]

you're welcome.

[MUPAUL]

Interesting. But for me a 100 mile range doesn't do it. The idea of the volt, with the ability to recharge the battery, is something that appeals to me. The 100 mile range is fine for all but maybe 40 days a year for me. However, I don't want to have two cars, with one just for those 40 days where I need to go over 100 miles and I don't want to have the expense of renting a car. But I would love a small electric car, since this is all that I need for 300 plus days a year.

In order to appeal to the masses, there has to be a system for quick charging or an engine to recharge the battery, in my opinion, as most Americans will want to be able to go greater distances without having to own a second car. I hope the Volt type of technology/concept doesn't get ignored and that Toyota or Honda develop a system with unlimted range, but with battery only for 50 miles or more. If feasible, I like this concept better than a straight hybrid.

[usbseawolf2000]

I want one!

Does anyone has spec on it? Curb Weight, tire width, price, etc?

[JSH]

Originally Posted by MUPAUL

In order to appeal to the masses, there has to be a system for quick charging or an engine to recharge the battery, in my opinion, as most Americans will want to be able to go greater distances without having to own a second car. I hope the Volt type of technology/concept doesn't get ignored and that Toyota or Honda develop a system with unlimted range, but with battery only for 50 miles or more. If feasible, I like this concept better than a straight hybrid.

The average household in America has 2.24 cars. Having one limited to 100 miles range should not be a problem for the majority of people. The problem is perception of being limited.

Per the article the MiEV recharges in 14 hours from a standard household socket or in 30 minutes from a quick charger.

I actually like renting cars. I used to travel quite a bit for my job and I liked being able to drive different cars from different manufacturers. Since most of my travel was to Europe I always tried to rent a car that wasn't available in the US.

Locally I rent through Enterprise. They will come pick you up so it makes it pretty convenient. I used them twice when I needed to rent a truck and once to rent a Cadillac CTS for a business trip.

EDIT: A car like the MiEV is exactly what I would like to buy. My ideal electric car would have a range between 60 and 100 miles. Any more range and I would just be wasting money for range that I would very rarely use. I hope to be able to buy a EV when it comes time to replace one of our cars. (My wife and I have 2 cars, 4 motorcycles, and 4 bicycles so we are not lacking in personal transportation options)

[Rokeby]

Originally Posted by usbseawolf2000

Does anyone has spec on it? Curb Weight, tire width, price, etc?

Here's the best I've got:

New York 2009: Mitsubishi confirms i-MiEV will come to U.S.

Enjoy!

[Rokeby]

Originally Posted by MUPAUL

Interesting. But for me a 100 mile range doesn't do it. The idea of
the volt, with the ability to recharge the battery, is something that
appeals to me. The 100 mile range is fine for all but maybe 40 days a
year for me. However, I don't want to have two cars, with one just
for those 40 days where I need to go over 100 miles and I don't want
to have the expense of renting a car. But I would love a small electric
car, since this is all that I need for 300 plus days a year...

As I see it, The small EV car makers have a serious perception
problem vis-avis their advertised range typically under 100 miles. To
many, perhaps most, Americans it "looks" like a problem even though
it may not be. However, for some, an EV just won't work. It's new
technology that requires a whole new "what do I really need"
algorithm.

I do not understand why more actual/potential EV makers are not
talking about OEM range extenders like an add on battery pack.
(I believe Tesla does offer different battery packs. But... ) OK,
it's going to be pretty heavy, like ~200+ lbs. So big deal, put it on a
trailer...

Better yet, how about a small, highly efficient generator with a
smallish battery on a trailer. Just plug and go, and go, and go...
stopping as necessary to fuel the generator. Without much trouble, the
generator could also be configured to be used as an emergency home
electrical supply.

Now you're talkin'; a two-fer!

Check out this nifty unit:

http://www.evalbum.com/2312

A bit pricey, but then, it's a one-off.

[JSH]

Anything that requires a trailer is dead on arrival. Simply put, the majority of Americans can't back up a trailer.

I do think several EV range options is a great idea. I hope GM does something similar with the volt. Maybe EV only range of 10, 20, 30, and 40 miles. That way a buyer could taylor the battery pack to their usage and control the upfront costs.

Realistically if you have a PHEV you want to use the engine for environmental and practical reasons:

• Environmentally, most PZEV's like the Prius only have enough volume in their fuel tanks to store fuel vapors for 3-5 days. If a car sits longer than this time period it starts venting raw hydrocarbons into the atmosphere. If the car is started those vapors are drawn into the engine and burned.
• Practically gasoline has a short shelf life. Anyone that has a motorcycle, snowmobile, gas lawn mower or any other seasonal device with a gasoline engine knows that gasoline goes bad in storage. Untreated gasoline starts to thicken and gum up carburetors and fuel injectors after about 3 months.

[SanZan]

The cheapest, i.e., overnight, electricity in Japan is currently 11 yen a kWh. Most people don't have time-based meters so they pay 23 yen or so a kWh. Thats for the limited number of Japanese who have an outlet near where they park. This looks like a good car, but Mitsubishi may struggle to sell it domestically without subsidies.