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Mitsubishi planning all-electric car for 2010

 
2 1,243 views Oct 2, 2007

Mitsubishi planning all-electric car for 2010

Mitsubishi planning all-electric car for 2010

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After suffering a tumultuous past decade Mitsubishi is finally on the turnaround and has exciting products like the new Evo X and several upcoming concepts to keep us on out toes. Its president Osamu Masuko has now revealed the carmaker’s strategy for the future and plans to launch several new electric cars and efficient diesels and flex-fuel vehicles.

Masuko hinted that the next-gen Colt small car is being developed as a global model and could be sold in the U.S. for the first time. Instead of going down the hybrid route, which most other carmakers are heading in, Mitsubishi will be focusing on launching new ultra-efficient diesels over the coming years, as well electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-ins.

Development of EVs is already underway and is a top priority at Mitsubishi, Masuko explained to reporters from Edmunds. “We'd like to boost the numbers of electric vehicles. The technology that goes into them could be adapted to developing a hybrid. We'd like to build an electric vehicle and have it lead to a plug-in hybrid,” he said.

The common stumbling block for all carmakers pursuing EVs is battery technology. To overcome this, Mitsubishi will form a joint venture with GS Yuasa Corporation to develop new batteries for an EV that’s near completion. “Since there's no big obstacle left in bringing it to the market, we're developing it with a view that first sales are in sight,” Masuko boasted.

Pictured above is the Mitsubishi i MiEV concept car that was rumored to enter production next year but is now slated for a 2010 launch.



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Comments (2)

  1. By MARIO ALEXAY Posted: 5/22/2008 9:42am PDT

    I am a retired Electronics Engineer and I live in the very sunny State of Arizona, USA.

    Here are rough specs of what I want in a PHEV automobile:

    1. Electric PLUG-IN for charging the batteries at home from house current.
    2. Batteries capable of driving vehicle to approximately 125 miles (200 km).
    3. Small DIESEL engine for charging batteries after discharge, so that vehicle
    can travel for approximately 600 miles before refueling (950 km).
    4. Solar cells built into the roof for additional charging.
    5. Seating for 4 individuals (1 driver, 3 passengers).

    I'll think of something else later...
     
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  2. By MARIO ALEXAY Posted: 6/12/2008 7:53am PDT

    Due to accelerated new battery technology coming up soon, I'd like to make a change to Specification #2 above:

    2. Batteries capable of driving vehicle to approximately 225 miles (360 km).
     
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