Mitsubishi Motors Corporation on World Environment Day, unveiled the production version of the i-MiEV *1 *2 new-generation electric vehicle (EV), describing it as “the pioneer that will open the door to the next 100 years of our automobile society.” The i- MiEV will go on sale on the Japanese market in late July of this year.
Mitsubishi Motors to bring new-generation EV i-MiEV to market
The i-MiEV represents the crystallization of some 40 years of electric vehicle development at
Mitsubishi Motors. The company is presenting the production i-MiEV as the ultimate eco-car, a
solution to the various challenges the automobile faces today including environmental pollution, global warming and the depletion of petroleum-based energy supplies. The company will continue its extensive collaboration with both private and public sectors in Japan and overseas in developing infrastructure to promote ownership of EVs.
Mitsubishi Motors expects to distribute, on a maintenance lease*3 basis, some 1,400 i-MiEV
models in fiscal 2009 principally to corporations and to local authorities. The company plans to
start sales of i-MiEV to individuals in April 2010 and will start taking orders in late July of this year.
1: MiEV: Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle
2: i-MiEV : For the full production model a hyphen has been added to the name by which the advance experiment
and proving models have been known.
3: Maintenance lease: A lease in which the monthly payments include some of the taxes, insurance and
maintenance costs.
The i-MiEV: Overview
The i-MiEV makes maximum use of the long wheelbase that stems from its base model the “i”
minicar’s rear-midship layout to install a large capacity lithium-ion drive battery under the floor and
the power unit under the luggage compartment. This provides a cruising range that is ample for
everyday use without compromising the generous seating or luggage space of the “i."
The introduction of the MiEV OS (MiEV Operating System) an advanced integrated vehicle
management system into which the company has poured its wealth of know-how garnered from
many years of EV research and development — has provided the kind of high performance and
reliability that befits a new-generation EV.
4: Generic name for the integrated vehicle management system developed by Mitsubishi Motors for new-generation EVs.
I Principal product features
1. Zero drive-time CO2 emissions
The i-MiEV is a zero-emissions vehicle (ZEV) which produces no CO2 emissions while being
driven. Even when the CO2 gas emitted at power generating stations is taken into consideration,
the i-MiEV generates approximately one-third of the CO2 produced by the gasoline “i” minicar
(Calculated in-house based on the average of electric energy frameworks in Japan).
2. Driven 100% by electrical power
The i-MiEV is very economical because it only uses electrical energy as its power source. Also,
depending on electric power company rate fees, the running cost can be reduced further by
charging the battery when off-peak (late night) rates apply.
*5: An application must be submitted to the electric power company to qualify for domestic late night rates.
3. Quiet, agile, comfortable performance
The i-MiEV delivers the quiet and comfortable motoring experience only possible from an internal
combustion engine-less EV. Maximizing the excellent response and high low-end torque inherent
to its electric motor i-MiEV enables a level of responsive and powerful performance that
surpasses that of the gasoline-powered turbo engine “i" minicar.
4. Ample range for everyday minicar use
The i-MiEV has a single-charge range of 160 km*6 in the Japanese 10-15 mode urban driving
pattern. This gives it a range that is ample*7 for everyday minicar use.
*6: Actual range will vary depending on weather conditions, road congestion and on how the driver operates his
vehicle (use of accelerator, climate control system, etc.)
*7: A nationwide survey in Japan indicates that on average 90% of car drivers cover less than 40 km/day on
weekdays and that 80% cover less than 60 km/day at weekends and holidays (in-house research).
5. 3 ways to charge the battery
The i-MiEV uses a 3-way charging system that allows the drive battery to be charged at home or
when out and about. For normal charging i-MiEV is connected to either a standard 100-volt or
200-volt domestic outlet using the charging cables supplied with the vehicle. The i-MiEV’s battery
can also be “quick charged” at quick-charge stations which are currently being established
throughout Japan.
Charging time guide *8
Method Power source Time
200V AC（15Amp） Approx. 7 hours (full charge)
Normal**
100V AC（15Amp） Approx. 14 hours (full charge)
Quick 200V 3-phase (50 kW) Approx. 30 mins. (80% charge)
*8: Actual charging times may vary depending on such factors as air temperature and power source status.
** The normal charging gun and normal charging connector were jointly developed by Toyota Motor Corporation and
Yazaki Corporation.
II Advanced technology
1. Main powertrain components
(1) Drive battery
The i-MiEV is powered by a very high energy-density lithium-ion battery manufactured by
Lithium Energy Japan*9. The large-capacity drive battery is comprised of 88 lithium-ion
cells connected in series and is installed under the floor in the center of the vehicle. This
configuration contributes to outstanding handling and stability due to the car’s low center
of gravity.
*9: Joint venture established on December 12, 2007 between Mitsubishi Motors, GS Yuasa Corporation and
Mitsubishi Corporation to develop, manufacture and sell large-capacity and high energy-density lithium-ion
cells for EV use.
(2) Motor (power unit)
The i-MiEV uses a high-efficiency compact and lightweight permanent magnet
synchronous electric motor specially developed for the vehicle. It generates maximum
torque from low engine speeds to deliver powerful response and a comfortable ride
experience. When the vehicle slows down the regenerative brake system causes the
motor to operate as a generator. The electrical energy recovered is stored in the drive
battery.
(3) Transmission
The i-MiEV uses a lightweight and compact single-speed reduction gear transmission,
exploiting the high low-end torque inherent to the electric motor and eliminating the need
for complex gear shifting mechanisms as found in internal combustion engine powered
vehicles.
(4) On-board charger
The i-MiEV comes with a compact, lightweight on-board charger that allows the drive
battery to be charged using a domestic 100V/200V AC line.
(5) DC/DC converter
The DC/DC converter is used to charge the 12-volt auxiliary battery and power electrical
equipment. It is integrated with the on-board charger in a single unit to reduce size and
weight.
6) Inverter
The i-MiEV ’s motor is driven by an alternating current. The inverter converts highvoltage
direct current from the drive battery to alternating current and supplies motor with
the power required to drive the vehicle.
2. Combination meter display
The combination meter instrument cluster is comprised of a power meter that presents a visual
display of power consumption and energy recovery status, a drive battery residual charge
indicator that indicates how much remaining power there is left in the drive battery, and an
available range indicator that displays an estimate of how far the vehicle can be driven on the
basis of average power consumption over the last few kilometers.
3. Shift selector
The shift selector provides the three positions described below that allow the driver to choose
between maximum fun, maximum economy or maximum regenerative brake bias.
D-position : Generates gutsy torque in direct response to accelerator input and allows
the driver to enjoy i-MiEV ’s performance potential to the maximum.
Eco-position: Reduces power output and consumption to deliver maximum economy.
B-position: Increases the regenerative brake bias. Power output is the same as for D.
4. Climate control
The i-MiEV ’s climate control system features air conditioning with an electrically powered
compressor and a heating system which circulates warm water heated by an electric heater. The
control dial provides six-step manual adjustment of both cooling and heating temperatures. The
system reduces power consumption by minimizing occasions when both cooling unit and the
heater operate together.
. Safety features
(1) Drive battery protected by sturdy frame
The high-voltage system, battery pack included, is located inside the body frame and is
further protected by a well-crib frame against damage from any direction of impact.
(2) Integrated vehicle management system: MiEV OS
The MiEV OS (MiEV Operating System) gathers data and information from all the major
EV components to provide integrated management of the i-MiEV ’s performance. The
advanced management system constantly monitors battery status and the energy
recovered from the regenerative brakes while regulating output to ensure smooth and
powerful acceleration from a full stop. As a result the system optimizes and minimizes
energy consumption while delivering road performance that is comfortable, safe and
reassuring.
III Other equipment and trim
1. Body colors
The range of 8 body finishes includes monotones and two types of 2-tone color schemes.
(1) Monotones
Three monotone colors are offered: White Solid, Cool Silver Metallic and Raspberry Red
Pearl (factory option).
(2) 2-tone schemes (factory option):
• Type A: The two 2-tone color schemes that have been used to date to highlight the
i-MiEV ’s originality are available: Red Solid / White Solid and Cool Silver Metallic /
White Solid.
• Type B: In addition two new 2-tone color schemes are available.
- “Clean image:” White Pearl / Ocean Blue Metallic and White Pearl / Mint Green.
- “Premium image:” Cool Silver Metallic / Black Mica.
2. LED headlamps and rear combination lamps
The i-MiEV is the first minicar*10 and the first Mitsubishi Motors model to use LED headlamps,
which throw a longer and wider low-beam pattern while also cutting power consumption. The rear
combination lamps also use fast-illuminating LED emitters for the tail and stop lamps, making
these lamps more instantly visible to following vehicles.
*10: As of end May 2009, according to Mitsubishi Motors research.
3. PBS-bamboo fiber Green Plastic tailgate trim
The i-MiEV uses PBS (polybutylene succinate)-bamboo fiber Green Plastic for the tailgate interior
trim. The use of PBS-bamboo fiber cuts life-cycle emissions (from extraction of raw materials to
final disposal of product) of CO2 by some 10 percent compared with polypropylene.
4. Mitsubishi Multi-Entertainment System (MMES)
The i-MiEV is available with the Mitsubishi Multi-Entertainment System (with a 7-inch display and
SSD navigation) that is built around solid state drive (SSD) technology to offer outstanding power
saving and shock resistant properties. MMES is a factory-fitted option. The navigation database
can be updated using SD flash cards and the company plans to use this feature to display the
location of battery charging stations as they become available.
-moreIV
i-MiEV specifications
Drive System 2WD (rear-wheel drive)
L x W x H
3395mm × 1475mm ×
1610mm
Wheel base 2550mm
Vehicle weight (kg) 1100kg
Vehicle Weight/Dimensions
Occupants 4
Power Consumption (10-15 mode
driving pattern)
125Wh/km
Performance
Cruising range/charge (10-15 mode
driving pattern)
160km
Type Lithium-ion
Drive Battery Rated voltage 330V
Rated capacity 16 kWh
Type
Permanent magnet
synchronous
Model Y4F1
Max. output
47kW (64PS) / 3000 ~ 6000
rpm
Motor
Max. torque
180 Nm (18.4 kgf-m) / 0 ~
2000 rpm
V Sales information (for Japanese domestic market)
• Sales target: 1,400 units (fiscal 2009)
• MSRP: JPY 4,599,000 (consumption tax inclusive)*11
JPY 4,380,000 (without consumption tax) *11
(Price does not include recycling fee, insurance, taxes*12 other than consumption tax or
registration costs.)
• Sales contract type: Maintenance lease
*11: i-MiEV qualifies for “Subsidies for measures designed to promote introduction of clean energy vehicles,”
currently implemented by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. For fiscal 2009, intending owners are
eligible to receive a maximum subsidy of JPY 1,390,000 on approval of an application submitted to the Next
Generation Vehicle Promotion Center (The intending owner must apply for the subsidy and receive notification
of its approval before the vehicle is registered).
*12: Under current Japanese tax incentives to promote the ownership of eco-cars, the i-MiEV is exempt from the
excise and weight taxes normally collectable on purchase of a new vehicle.
