Mitsubishi iMiEV Electric Car - 1/5/07

The iMiEV Sport electric car body reminds me of a revamped VW bug. The cab forward design allows room for the high capacity lithium-ion battery packs to mount under the front and rear floor. The inverter and charger are in the trunk.

Unlike the Chevy Volt which has a back up engine when the batteries get low the iMiEV appears to be fully electric. The iMiEV plug in the electric car features solar panels on the roof plus mini wind turbines mounted in the front grill. If you don’t want to drag an extension cord out to recharge the car, Mitsubishi has developed a wireless microwave charger you place on your garage floor.

The microwave receiver is mounted under the lithium-ion batteries. It takes about 17 hours to recharge the batteries using 100 volt input. You can cut that time in half by using a 200 volt input. An 80 percent charge can be obtained in 35 minutes using a 200 volt input. New batteries produced by GS Yuasa and Mitsubishi have boosted the range from the original 81 miles to about 123 miles. The battery company is not exclusive to Mitsubishi, making their batteries available to any car maker.

The iMiEV has 83 miles more battery range than the projected battery “only” range of the Chevy Volt. I am sure with battery technology advancements in the next year, the 40 mile electric range of the Chevy Volt will be increased.

The iMiEV all wheel drive is powered by three motors, one inside each front wheel producing 26 horsepower each and one 63 horsepower motor for the rear wheels. The all wheel drive system has integrated stability and yaw controls.

Mitsubishi has moved the release of the iMiEV up from 2010 to 2009 assuming they need to get a jump on the Chevy Volt which is projected to be released in 2009.

The 2370 pound iMiEV all-electric car will have its limitations, but will be great for the average American that travels less than 40 miles a day. Drive more than 123 miles a day, the Chevy Volt may be your answer. The unique Volt is an electric car, but when you exceed the 40 mile battery “only” range it switches to an electric serial hybrid. It uses the combustion engine to generate electricity for the electric motors propelling the car when needed. With a parallel hybrid car the combustion engine and electric motors run in parallel sharing the load of propelling the vehicle. More information on serial and parallel hybrids

For industry news on the related ZAP electric car, go to this link to read an interview with the owner of the ZAP electric car company. http://www.beyondfossilfuel.com/electric/zap_interview.html

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