a new-generation EV, and is currently working with several power companies with a view to bringing it to market. A public road testing program has already produced a range of valuable and useful data.
Mitsubishi Motors’ involvement in electric vehicle development began with the Minicab EV  in 1971. Since then the company has continued its EV research and development, concentrating principally on motors and batteries. In 2006, the company developed the i MiEV,
美菱电动车Outstanding environmental performance: zero on-road CO 2 emissions, minimal noise, and excellent energy efficiency
Electric Vehicle Technology
Know-how built up over years of electric vehicle development
Electric vehicles return superior environmental performance compared to vehicles using other sources of power. For example, they generate zero on-road  CO 2 emis sions. Even in terms of well -to -wheel performance (efficiency of entire process, from fuel production and supply to operating the vehicle), which includes CO 2 emissions produced in electric power generation, the EV emits only about 30 percent of the CO 2 generated by a gasoline powered car of comparable size. With future improvement i
n the environmental performance of sources used for electric power generation, EV CO 2 emissions will drop still further.
The cost of driving an EV 100 km is one-third that of a comparable 660cc gasoline minicar. If nighttime power is used to charge the batteries the cost is further reduced to around one-ninth or less, giving the EV a clear economic advantage. The EV can benefit from an energy regeneration system when driving downhill, decelerating or braking, employing the motor as a generator to achieve more effective energy utilization.
Volume of CO  generated per 1 km (10-15 mode driving pattern)
2*Average for all electric power generation sources in Japan
Driving costs over the same distance (10-15 mode driving pattern)
Gasoline price: 140 yen /  (Tokyo Electric Power Company prices)
Environmental performance unrivalled by other power sources
EVs are cheaper to run
i MiEV
Mitsubishi Motors turned to the lithium-ion battery at an early stage because of its high energy density and power density, and has continued its development of this type of battery to further improve performance. As
a result, fleet monitor vehicles developed jointly with several electric power companies have achieved a cruising range of 160 km (10-15 mode driving pattern) on a single charge. The company has also developed a compact, lightweight, high-power, highly efficient permanent magnet synchronous motor.
i MiEV—The pinnacle of Mitsubishi Motors’ EV development technologies
Electric Vehicle Technology
Development of core components — batteries and motors
Lithium-ion battery
Power density (W/kg)E n e r g y  d e n s i t y  (W h /k g )
1999
2005
2015
Lithium-ion battery for HEV
Nickel-hydride battery for HEV
Lithium-ion battery for EV
Lead battery
i MiEV
Lithium-ion battery performance graph i  MiEV
660cc
gasoline minicar
Motor speed (rpm)
T o r q u e  (N m )
Permanent magnet synchronous
motor torque graph
Large capacity
High power
Permanent magnet synchronous motor
i MiEV’s  batteries can be charged using a regular 100V or 200V domestic outlet or can be quick-charged using a 3-phase, 200V supply when on the road. Charging with a 100V regular household supply takes 14 hours (7 hours with a 200V supply). Collaborative research and development with several power companies has led to the development of a quick charging system capable of recharging to 80% capacity in 30 minutes.
The i MiEV  uses the rear midship layout of the “i” base model. Capitalizing on the long wheelbase that is a feature of this platform, the high capacity lithium-ion batteries are located under the floor, and the motor, inverter, charger and other EV components are installed beneath the luggage compartment. Locating these heavy parts low down achieves a low center-of-gravity which translates into excellent vehicle stability while providing ample space for occupants and for luggage.
Plug for quick charging
Partner: The Tokyo Electric Power Company, Inc.
30 min. (200 V) <80%>
i MiEV
Quick charging system
Optimum packaging with rear midship layout
Compatibility with a range of charging systems
Battery
Quick charger
Household charging plug
14 hours (100 V) or 7 hours (200 V)
Regular household charging system
Battery
On-board charger Motor
On-board charger
Inverter
Lithium-ion battery