The auto world is going electric. Most car manufacturers around the world are either working on an electric car or already have one in the pipeline. Mitsubishi Motor of Japan is one of the first to start a [mass] programme on electric vehicles or EVs.
With the new i-MiEV Mitsubishi is hoping to catch buyers who are interested in saving the planet as well as some pocket change otherwise used to fund oil barons. This July the i-MiEV will start leasing to 1 400 special Japanese customers who include government and special interest groups.
The little Mitsu is not powered by a petrol engine at all, but instead uses an electric motor that takes its power from a lithium-ion battery. It produces 47kW of power, which is less than what a Toyota Tazz produces but is similar to something like a Peugeot 107 (50kW). Maximum torque is 180Nm, quite respectable for a car this size. Mitsubishi says under normal driving conditions the car will do 160km of driving before it needs to be recharged. It can be recharged while parked inside your garage at home using the standard plug socket on the wall.
