Mitsubishi speeding up electric car program

Mitsubishi speeding up electric car program

The increasing demand for electric and hybrid cars and the ever-growing prices of the gasoline auto fuels has got Mitsubishi to increase the pace of their electric car program. The company has collaborated with Tokyo Electric Power Company to develop a new generation electric car, dubbed MIEV (Mitsubishi In-wheel motor Electric Vehicle). Mitsubishi plans to put it into production by 2008.

The companies are currently using a Colt driven by in-wheel electric motors for testing the platform. Mitsubishi is using individual motors at each wheel and claims that by doing this; they can regulate traction and braking forces independently at each wheel without the need for a regular transmission and drive shafts. This helps them save on the weight and power losses associated with them.

Mitsubishi claims that their car would easily out perform their previous electric concept car’s range of 250km as well as reducing its recharge time. They should also be out with their product before Subaru can launch their own electric car in the domestic market. Mitsubishi considers advancements in lithium-ion battery technology with their superior specific energy, power, and life would result in higher speeds, extended touring ranges and greater weight reductions in electric, hybrid and fuel cell vehicles.