Mitsubishi MiEV Test Drive

[c0mp13x]

Mitsubishi's MiEV seems to be a real contender as one of the first lithium based EVs from a major manufacturer. Scheduled to debut in Japan in late 2009 as a 2010 model, the MiEV should retail in the $24k range. The amazing thing is that the Japanese government is subsidizing zero-emission vehicles to the tune of 50%! At that price, I'll take one... I'll just have to relocate to Tokyo ;).

The review linked below points out the reality of "ideal conditions" EV range specs... your mileage WILL be less, plan accordingly. Driving fast, using the AC/heat, carrying passengers and hilly terrain will all subtract mileage from your range. Factors to consider if you expect your Typ-1e to take you over 100 miles before you find an outlet.


MiEV positives

Whisper quiet
Very quick (<9 sec, 0-60mph)
Eco mode, reduces power (63hp/43hp) and increases range
100 mile range (ideal conditions)
3 charge options (14hr/7hr/.5hr quick charge)MiEV negatives

Almost 2400lbs mini-car
100v home charge takes 14 hrs
Real-life range far less than 100 miles w/ passengers and AC/heat (~65-70 miles?)Edmunds test drives the MiEV (http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpcontainers/do/vdp/articleId=124867/pageNumber=1#2)

http://www.mitsubishi-motors.co.jp/contents/newsrelease/200610111533/2006101115331.jpg

:D

[KarenRei]

If you want one in the US, sign the petition:

http://www.petitiononline.com/iMiEV/petition.html

Even if you don't want one, sign it anyways :) Mitsubishi has announced plans for sale in Japan and Europe, but is at this time undecided about bringing them to the US.

[c0mp13x]

3/21/08 - AutoblogGreen updates the MiEV with their own test drive and video:

ABG does the MiEV (http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/03/21/new-york-2008-autobloggreen-drives-the-mitsubishi-i-miev-w-vid/)

;)

[gr8tfate]

Thx for the AutoBlog update, the video was great. It's a shame that Americans are so afraid of change and a little slow on the intelligence side to help push this market to the US faster. Dammit, I want a fully electric car and I want it now!

[c0mp13x]

Yanquetino found another cool video of the MiEV, this one shows it's hill climbing ability. Extended hill climbing is a challenge for most EVs and the MiEV has no problem with this 18 mile, 5800 foot vertical climb. Note the "Power" gauge drawing power on the way up and regening on the way down...

MiEV Hill Climb Video (http://www.mitsubishi-motors.tv/index_5tateyama.html)

:)

[pottzio]

It's not hard to put batteries and electric motor in a car. But making it cheap, with good aerodynamics, and functional is another thing.
My secret dream is that someone from China likes the Aptera design.
If they start to produce it the price will come down to $10K very fast.
I really want people to understand how important the shape of the cars is.
I am willing to sacrifice stability(thinner tyres) in order for the car to be lighter and more efficient.
Why a car should go 200km/h? It’s just not needed. Max speed should be limited to 110km/h for example and cars should be made deliberately to accelerate slowly.
But we will se:)

[c0mp13x]

EV World posts a very informative interview with Tohru Hashimoto, Mitsubishi's Corporate General Manager for its iMiEV electric car program:

Mitsubishi's Electric Car Future (http://www.evworld.com/article.cfm?storyid=1473)

;)

[evolutionmovement]

At 110km/h, you'd never get there. 110 mph maybe and as counter-intuitive as it sounds, the roads are too crowded for slow accelerating cars - that's a recipe for road rage, one I would eat daily. Slow is the reason electric cars are slow to be accepted and died to begin with. If people bought cars on need, they'd all be glorified cycle cars (a long-dead class of small car that shared drivetrain characteristics with motorcycles) and probably about as advanced. I don't think we have to cease enjoying driving altogether and proposing such would only doom such a proposal to failure. History is littered with dead cars that just met the bare needs of the average motorist. The automobile has transformed humanity in the last 100 odd years and not just by infrastructure - they've brought the world closer, imparted unprecedented freedom to the multitudes, driven innovation, reduced government control over the populace (although increasing bureaucracy) and increased exposure to other cultures and races. For all the bad things, there has been much good. This all happened because people wanted cars, lusted after cars, not just because they needed them. To basically turn them into an appliance reduces them to the lifeless state of such and at that communist point, you might as well turn to a more advanced pure public transit system and do away with the car altogether.

I wouldn't want a Chinese Aptera since I don't like forced labor (in spite of my books), the poor environmental practices of Chinese manufacturing, sending yet money overseas, and the terrible quality control. It's almost impossible not to buy Chinese goods, but I do my best. I'll buy the real Aptera when I can.

But I completely agree that it would be great to see more attention paid to aerodynamics. There's no downside other than inefficient space utilization for high-capacity cargo or passenger vehicles, but even the box shape can be improved with nothing but quiet and better mileage to enjoy in return.

[aptera1213]

zero to 60mph in under 9 seconds isn't slow...