Nine Japanese Companies to Establish EV Quick-Charging Infrastructure Promotion Organization

Nine Japanese Companies to Establish EV Quick-Charging Infrastructure Promotion Organization

ULVAC, Inc., Kanematsu Corporation, Kandenko Co., Ltd., Suzuyo Shoji Co., Ltd., Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc., Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), the Development Bank of Japan Inc., Honda Motor Co., Ltd., and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation today agreed to establish an organization to provide membership-based quick-charging services for users of electric vehicles (EVs). The organization, named the Charging Network Development Organization, LLC, aims to encourage increased and widespread use of EVs by helping to expand the scope of charging infrastructure.

As of the end of October, approximately 800 quick chargers have been installed in Japan, a number still viewed as insufficient from a users' standpoint. Until now, quick chargers have generally been installed, at the owner's expense, by businesses and private organizations for private use or as part of a government program. The lack of an effective method to recover costs has become a significant obstacle to widespread installation.

Under the new membership service, quick-charger owners can register their chargers with the organization in a central database. The organization will then make charger information, such as number and location, available to EV users registered as members, thus facilitating convenient and efficient charging. Membership fees will pay a portion of the installation and maintenance costs incurred by quick-charger owners, helping to promote the development of quick-charger infrastructure. The organization plans to start such services in fiscal year 2012.

The concept for the service is the result of investigations conducted by a working group formed at the request from the CHAdeMO Association* to all its members in July 2010. In March 2011, the CHAdeMO Association announced that it would support the commercial development of the service to promote the spread of quick-charging infrastructure.

The organization will seek the cooperation of a broad range of local governments and businesses for the service while working to increase interest in quick-charger installation, thereby establishing a charging infrastructure sufficient to encourage the greater use of EVs and to increase user convenience.

Mitsubishi to Launch New MINICAB-MiEV Commercial Electric Vehicle in Japan

Mitsubishi Motors to Launch New MINICAB-MiEV Commercial Electric Vehicle in Japan
- Prices start from ¥1,730,000 after application of eco-car subsidy -

MINICAB-MiEV CD (10.5kWh)

Tokyo, November 24, 2011 - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announced that it will launch the new MINICAB-MiEV*1 minicar-class commercial electric vehicle (EV)-the second product in its next-generation EV lineup-on December 8, 2011 at dealerships throughout Japan. Depending on specification the new model will carry a pre-incentive manufacturer's recommended retail price (MSRP) of between \2,400,000 and \2,971,000, consumption tax included.

Derived from the MINICAB Van minicar-class commercial vehicle, the MINICAB-MiEV has been developed maximizing the technologies and knowhow gained from the development of the i-MiEV in delivering the superior environmental performance inherent to an EV, together with the high levels of operating economy, payload capacity, drivability and reliability demanded of a commercial vehicle.

The MINICAB-MiEV will come with a choice of two sizes of drive battery to allow the customer to choose the cruising range best suited to his or her needs. The CD 10.5 kWh battery version provides a cruising range of 100 km (at JC08 mode) on a single charge, while the CD 16.0 kWh version takes this up to 150 km. MMC has set prices at an accessible level: with the application of the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's eco-car subsidy, the final cost to the consumer for the CD 10.6 kWh and CD 16.0 kWh battery versions will be reduced to \1,730,000 and \2,020,000 respectively. As with the i-MiEV, the MINICAB-MiEV will be sold on a maintenance lease, credit or cash basis.

When MMC started sales of the i-MiEV new-generation EV in the Japanese market in July 2009 it was the first auto manufacturer to offer a truly "ultimate eco-car" that fully addresses issues facing our society today including environmental pollution, global warming and exhaustion of petroleum-based energy supplies. Since then MMC has sold some 5,000 units in Japan and has shipped a total of about 17,000 units (as of October 31, 2011), including units supplied to PSA Peugeot Citroën. As a leading manufacturer of EVs, MMC is confident that as it expands its lineup of EV models it will serve as pioneers on the path toward quickly making possible a low-carbon society.

Mitsubishi Motors In Talks with Suzuki towards OEM Supply of a Minicar-class Light Commercial Electric Vehicle

Mitsubishi Motors In Talks with Suzuki towards OEM Supply of a Minicar-class Light Commercial Electric Vehicle

Tokyo, November 22, 2011 - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announced it is in talks with Suzuki Motor Corporation (Suzuki) towards OEM supply of a minicar-class light commercial electric vehicle (based on the MINICAB-MiEV).

MMC and Suzuki are currently working on details; however plans are for initial supply to Suzuki to begin in February 2012, building up to full-scale supply in the 2012 fiscal year.

The talks towards an agreement are intended to increase economies of scale for MMC which will in turn contribute to lower production costs and increased productivity.

2012 Mitsubishi i Ranked #1 Fuel Economy Leader in the EPA's Annual Fuel Economy Guide

 CYPRESS, Calif., Nov. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA), is proud to announce that the company's innovative and fun-to-drive 2012 Mitsubishi i electric vehicle has scored first-place honors on the EPA's list of "Fuel Economy Leaders: 2012 Model Year" in the governmental agency's annual Fuel Economy Guide thanks to its astonishing EPA-rated 112 combined/126 city/99 highway MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent).

According to the EPA's website, the Fuel Economy Guide is "an annual publication containing the fuel economy estimates for all cars and light trucks. The guide includes much more information that appears on the window sticker alone. It includes information about alternative fueled vehicles, the range of fuel economy for different classes of vehicles, a list of fuel economy leaders, and tips for improving fuel economy."

The annual Fuel Economy Guide is published jointly by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE).

"We are very pleased to see that the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy have rated the 2012 Mitsubishi i as the top fuel economy leader in its annual Fuel Economy Guide," said Yoichi Yokozawa, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA). “With 17,000 i-MiEV-based units* produced for various international markets, we look forward to providing North American consumers with an exceptionally well-engineered electric vehicle that has proven itself to be reliable, safe, efficient and very affordable in overall price and cost of operation.”  

* As of October 2011. Figure includes units produced for PSA Peugeot Citroen.

Citroen C-ZERO

Peugeot iON

New Mitsubishi Graphics Program for the i-MiEV, details on 2012 Lancer SE at 2011 LA Auto Show

Mitsubishi Motors Details New Mitsubishi Graphics Program, All-Wheel Drive Lancer SE AWC, Consumer Test Drives of Mitsubishi i EV at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show

Los Angeles, California, November 16, 2011 – Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA), is set to detail exciting new product offerings and events at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show including a new customized graphics program available for the 2012 Mitsubishi i electric vehicle and the 2012 Lancer, an affordably-priced and well-equipped all-wheel drive version of the company’s popular Lancer compact sports sedan, and the opportunity for consumers to jump behind the wheel for a test drive of the all-new 100% electric-powered 2012 Mitsubishi i.

Hot Mitsubishi Graphics for Mitsubishi i Electric Vehicle and Lancer Models
As if the distinctively-shaped 2012 Mitsubishi i electric vehicle and the head-turning Lancer sport sedan weren’t stylish enough, owners of these vehicles will now be able to add their own personalized style to each of these remarkable vehicles, thanks to the new Mitsubishi Graphics program.

Available for the all-new Mitsubishi i in December and the Lancer by the end of 2011, customers can simply log onto Mitsubishicars.com and/or MitsubishiGraphics.com beginning in early December, select their graphic(s), print out the order and take it to their local Mitsubishi dealer to purchase their stylish new graphics package for their eco-friendly Mitsubishi i or sporty Lancer model. The Mitsubishi dealer will then place the order for the graphics package, inform the customer when the artwork for their vehicle arrives and coordinate with the customer for its installation by a professional 3M™ Original Wraps installer.

Crafted from premium high-quality 3M™ Scotchprint® on-demand vinyl graphic film and a clear laminate for additional protection, the new Mitsubishi Graphics are composed of the same material used for premium full-wrap vehicle graphics. Mitsubishi Graphics can be purchased at Mitsubishi dealerships and come with a 3-year/36,000 mile warranty from 3M™.
For more information on the Mitsubishi Graphics program, including product pricing, availability, selection and care, please call 1-877-236-4428 or log on to MitsubishiGraphics.com.

Mitsubishi Mirage

Mirage    

The Mirage's 2 design focused on compactness, affordability, and high fuel efficiency in order to fit the needs of emerging markets as an affordable entry-level model as well as needs of advanced markets for fuel efficiency and low-CO2 emission. In addition, the Mirage features good maneuverability and easy drivability inherent to a compact car while also providing a comfortable interior space for five adults.

Stems from the English word "mirage." The name was first used for the Mirage series developed for resource/energy/space-saving and high-performance in a compact package which debuted in Japan in March 1978. The new Mirage concept inherits the essence of that first series: cleverly getting the most performance and function out of a limited space.

MMC has targeted top-of-class fuel efficiency (Japan market version) of 30km per liter through a variety of measures including painstaking reduction in weight throughout almost every part of the car, reduction in rolling resistance and higher efficiency through detailed improvements to the engine, transmission, brakes and tires, and an aerodynamic body that reduces air resistance and drag. The new Mirage is due to go on sale first in Thailand in March 2012.

Mirage specifications (Japan market version)
Overall length 3710mm
Overall width 1665mm
Overall height 1490mm
Occupants 5
Engine 1.0L 3-cylinder MIVEC with Auto Stop & Go (AS&G)
Transmission  CVT                   
Target fuel efficiency 30km/L
Drivetrain 2WD
Tires 165/65R14

Interior:

Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV II

MITSUBISHI Concept PX-MiEV II    

MMC has been focusing its EV technology in the Japanese minicar class. MMC became the first major automobile manufacturer to bring a mass-produced electric vehicle to market when it rolled out the i-MiEV next-generation EV in 2009. The company will introduce its second mass-produced EV-the MINICAB-MiEV minicar-class light commercial EV-in December this year. These models are very popular as city commuters-vehicles used for transporting small groups of passengers over short distances in urban areas.

Concept PX-MiEV II

Not anymore. The MITSUBISHI Concept PX-MiEV II is Mitsubishi Motors' idea for a mid-size plug-in hybrid PHEV model that offers a long cruising range demanded by mid-size (and larger) vehicles. The MITSUBISHI Concept PX-MiEV II contains a state-of-the-art drivetrain derived from MMC's already existing EV technology that delivers the environmental performance and quietness inherent to an EV in an SUV package that provides more comfortable motoring and allows for higher utility outside of a city commuter. The MITSUBISHI Concept PX-MiEV II, with its high environmental performance and fuel efficiency, effectively extinguishes many negative perceptions of SUVs.

MMC's unique plug-in hybrid system fuses EV technology derived from the i-MiEV with a small conventional engine that features MMC's latest fuel and environmental efficiency technologies. This combination provides not only a combined fuel efficiency3 of more than 60km per liter, far superior than that of a conventional engine-driven car, but also very high levels of environmental performance while maintaining a cruising range on a par with conventional engine-driven vehicles (over 800 km).
3:     Representative fuel efficiency figure based on a combination of the vehicle's fuel efficiency when driven in all-electric mode, called the plug-in fuel efficiency, and when driven in hybrid mode, called the hybrid fuel efficiency.

MMC's plug-in hybrid system uses high-capacity batteries that allow the vehicle to cover over 50 km in all-electric mode alone, allowing it to be driven solely as an EV for most everyday situations. Depending on power consumption and remaining battery charge the system will start the engine automatically as a generator, and the engine can also be used to help drive the wheels as necessary. In addition, with the push of a button, the driver has the freedom to select Battery Drive Mode when he/she wishes to drive quietly and emissions-free (at sufficient battery levels) in residential areas or the countryside using pure EV power. At the same time, the driver can also switch to Battery Charge Mode while on the move, controlling use of battery power and using the engine as a generator to charge the batteries.
A socket fitted to the vehicle allows the electricity stored in the drive batteries to be used to power electric appliances when camping or in other outdoor pursuits, or to provide an emergency power source. In addition, the quick-charge port is vehicle-to-home (V2H) compatible.

Another feature of the MITSUBISHI Concept PX-MiEV II apart from its outstanding environmental performance is its drivetrain which uses a newly developed twin-motor four-wheel-drive system mated to Mitsubishi's S-AWC (Super-All Wheel Control) advanced traction control system. Based on the four-wheel-drive technology developed and honed in the Lancer Evolution X models, S-AWC delivers pure driving pleasure by maneuvering effortlessly to the driver's will while maintaining high levels of stability and safety. In addition to superior handling, the MITSUBISHI Concept PX-MiEV II provides 100% instant off-the-line torque inherent to electric motors, giving it acceleration comparable to that of a 3.0-liter V6 engine. The MITSUBISHI Concept PX-MiEV II takes environmentally-friendly vehicles to a new level with its unique blend of fuel and environmental efficiency, performance, and utility.

MITSUBISHI Concept PX-MiEV II specifications
Overall length 4660mm
Overall width 1830mm
Overall height 1680mm
Occupants 5
Motors (front and rear)  
Type Permanent magnet synchronous
Max. output 60kW each
Engine Type 2.0L MIVEC 4-cylinder
Generating capacity 70kW
Target motor-only driving range > 50km
Target combined cruising range > 800km
Target combined fuel efficiency > 60km/L
Drivetrain Twin-motor 4WD with S-AWC
Tires 235/55R18

Mitsubishi's Lineup at the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show

Mitsubishi Motors Lineup at the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show

Tokyo, November 9, 2011 - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) will be showing a total of 15 vehicles (12 on Press Day 1) at the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show, held at the Tokyo Big Sight convention center in Tokyo from November 30 through December 11 (open to the public from December 3).Two cars will make their world premiere at the show: the Mirage and the MITSUBISHI Concept PX-MiEV II. They respectively embody two major pillars to the company's product strategy outlined in the JUMP 2013 mid-term business plan: global strategic models focused on emerging markets and models featuring "green technology." The Mirage compact car embodies the global model strategy while the MITSUBISHI Concept PX-MiEV II concept SUV features "green technology" with its unique plug-in hybrid drivetrain.
Also at the Mitsubishi Motors booth will be the MINICAB-MiEV light commercial electric vehicle due to be released in the Japanese market in December this year and the i-MiEV new-generation electric vehicle (EV) which is currently on sale in countries all over the world including European countries, and is to be rolled out in the United States by the end of this year. Alongside these will be the RVR compact SUV (ASX or Outlander Sport in some markets) powered by a new MIVEC1 engine that incorporates MMC's Auto Stop & Go (AS&G) idle-stop technology, and the Pajero (Montero or Shogun in some markets) SUV powered by a "clean diesel" engine.


The Mitsubishi Motors booth will also feature the MiEV House, a concept of a "smart house" that tackles energy and global warming by managing energy usage between the home itself, "smart appliances," EVs/plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV), and "smart grids" all at the same time through HEMS (Home Energy Management System) and MMC's own EIS (Electric Vehicle Integration System). HEMS makes life more comfortable for people living in homes installed with it by continually monitoring power available to power being used and optimizing both so that effects of energy shortages and energy costs can be reduced. Connected to a "smart home" with HEMS, EIS constantly monitors EV/PHEV battery usage and efficiency (which varies on how the EV/PHEV is driven), feeds this information to HEMS, which then optimizes charging from the house so that the EV/PHEV always has enough energy in it.

Mirage

 
In addition to the MiEV House will be the MiEV Cafe, a relaxation space powered by the battery of an electric vehicle parked right beside it. The electric vehicle will power the MiEV Cafe through a new heavy-duty power supply device (also on display) that enables the supply of up to 1500W from EV and PHEV batteries. The heavy-duty power supply device is to go on sale in Japan within this fiscal year.

MITSUBISHI Concept PX-MiEV II