The iMiev, has been slated by Mitsubishi for commercial sale in Japan in 2009, a full year before the $40,000 Chevy Volt is intended to hit US shores. The iMiev is based on a current Kei-car produced by Mistubishi for Japan, and has a 47kW electric motor powered by a 330-volt lithium ion battery pack. The car will have a top speed of 80 mph and an all electric range of about 100 miles. Charging will take place via a normal power outlet and should take about 14 hours to completely charge the battery, though there is all a 220V charge option, which only takes 7 hours.
On the other hand, the Volt will feature a sportier 120kW motor and 100+ mph top speed, but will only have an electric range of 20 or 40 miles (depending on the speculation and model selection), after which is will switch over to your standard dinosaur burning engine like in most cars these days. Chevy claims that most people never drive over 40 miles in a day, but I’m sure these Volts will be burning enough fossil fuels that calling them “electric cars” will leave a bitter taste in some peoples’ mouths. I think series hybrid or plug-in hybrid is much more appropriate.
While you’re getting hyped up for the iMiev, check out this test drive video from Popular Mechanics:
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1 comment:
Mitsubishi is building a battery-only electric because they don't have the expertise to build a Volt type serial hybrid, which is the only architecture that makes any sense with curent battery prices and battery recharge capabilities. The Volt will avoid 96% of gasoline during commuting , even without workplace recharging. Add 1/3rd workplace recharge rate and it will avoid over 98% of commuting gas consumption, which accounts for more than 50% of total consumption. It is a car that anyone can own - not just the well-heeled with three car garages who have $40,000 to throw away on a can't-do grocery getter. A battery-only vehicle makes no economic sense - the Volt battery pack will last over 10 years, the Mitsubishi' pack about 5 and costs $20,000. Economically, the battery-only is an oxymoron that is no better than the crappy EV-1 was, one of the biggest automotive flops since the Edsel. The driving radius of the Mitsubishi will be less than 50 miles, probably 40 is the most you'd want to risk. Driving a battery-only is an adventure - you are eternally either 1) waiting for the battery to recharge or 2) trying tio figure out whether you can get there on a single charge. Many trips cannot be made by this Mitsubishi car - and those will require one of those "dinosaur ga powered cars." With the Volt, even liquid fuel driving is economical at 50 MPG and there are no concerns about fuel, driving distances, battery expenses, etc. The Mitsubishi will succeed only as long as shills like you are conning a gullible public - hell, those dimwits actually BELIEVED the lies in "Who Killed the Eelectric Car?" - it is good to see that at least some of them will learn thru realisty testing that a battery-only vehicle without a practical battery, makes no sense. A serial hybrid like the Volt can accomplish everything this country desires in terms of
emission and gasoline reduction. A fleet of Volts doesn't need ANY gasoline whatsoever - current ethanol fuel prodcution can do it all. And besides, regardless of whether
battery-onlies or plug-in hybrids are used, 33% of out petroleum fule will still be needed for commercial trucks, boats and RV, etc. , none of which are going to be electrified anytime soon. The plug-in hybrid can also be produced in sized that actually meet our transportation needs, which battery-onlies cannot. In sum, anyone who thinks that battery-only electrified vehicles are to be preferred, simply hasn't done a whole lot of thinking on the subject. They are simply not viable alternatives to the gas powered vehcile, and today are mainly coal burning vehicles in any event. Ethanol is cleaner than electricity produced using 80% carbon emitting generators, and doesn't produce anywhere near the dangerous emissions coming from coal power plants.
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