Mitsubishi Motors, the Japan-based automobile multinational, recently divulged that it is going to launch the new MINICAB-MiEV minicar-class commercial electric vehicle on 8th December in Japan's automotive market. The MINICAB-MiEV will be the second electric vehicle after the recently upgraded i-MiEV city car.
According to the company, the new variant of its minivan range has been designed to optimise the technologies and know-how use for the development of the i-MiEV (Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle). The car would offer better environmental performance, along with superior operating economy, driveability, payload capability and reliability.
The company has also revealed that the new MINICAB-MiEV will be available to the buyers in Japan in two options for the drive battery, so that the consumer can choose according to their preferences. The CD 10.5 kWh battery version offers a cruising range of 100 km on a single charge, whereas, the CD 16.0 kWh version provides a range of 150 km.
The carmaker also mentioned that it was in talks with Suzuki for the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) supply to the new electric minivan. The official statement by Mitsubishi said, “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.”
Furthermore, the company stated, “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.”
The automaker commenced the sales of the i-MiEV during July 2009 in Japan, and has recorded a sale of 5,000 units till now. Regarding its Electric Vehicle (EV) range, the carmaker said, “As a leading manufacturer of EVs, MMC is confident that as it expands its line-up of EV models it will serve as pioneers on the path toward quickly making possible a low-carbon society.”
Thus, the premier automobile maker of electric vehicles in Japan is working towards developing better performers
