CARazed

It looks like Mitsubishi will be the first to hit the market with a mass production electric car. Initial reports indicated that the car would not be ready until 2010 but now they are saying 2009. The Mitsubishi i-MiEV will be powered by a 47kW electric motor powered by 330 volt lithium ion batteries. It’s range will be between 80 and 100 miles on a single charge. Recharging can be done by plugging into a normal household power outlet. In 35 minutes the car can be recharged to about 80% capacity using an optional quick charge unit.

Other interesting green technologies include a plant-based resin plastic for interior components, power saving LED lighting, heat absorbing glass to give the air conditioning an easier time, and a small photovoltaic solar panel on the roof. Expect the car to first go on sale in Japan and possibly the UK in 2009 followed by fleet testing in the United States in 2008. Production levels are expected to hit 10,000 cars a year by 2011. It is expected to cost about $38,000 which is about the same as a Chevy Volt.

In a related news story it appears that Mitsubishi and Peugeot might be teaming up to collaborate on electric car development.

“To step up the viability of electric vehicle projects and accelerate market introduction, the companies agreed that cooperation on electric vehicle development and production would be mutually beneficial,” they said.