Meanwhile in Japan, they are moving ahead with a smart energy independence plan, bit by bit. It's an unbelievable damn shame that the Japanese and other countries are developing the technology faster than we are to get the world off of oil. And it's because of the morons in this country that refuse to see the beyond tip of their nose. Does that make you proud, Tim, to be among those holding back progress in this country?
Report: Mitsubishi to Begin i MiEV Retail Sales In Japan A Year Early
9 July 2008
The Nikkei reports that Mitsubishi Motors Corp. begin retail sales in Japan of its i MiEV electric vehicle next summer, a year ahead of schedule. The automaker had planned to start leasing the i MiEV to businesses and municipalities next summer and to wait until 2010 for the retail launch.
However, it is advancing the retail release in light of smoother-than-expected preparations for mass production and the favorable sales conditions created by runaway gasoline prices, according to the report.
Mitsubishi Motors intends to set the price for the i MiEV at around 4 million yen. But government subsidies for low-emission vehicles are likely to reduce the actual retail price to an estimated 3 million yen [US$28,000].
The i MiEV is powered by a compact 47 kW motor that develops 180 Nm (133 lb-ft) of torque and a 330V, 16 kWh lithium-ion battery pack from Lithium Energy Japan (LEJ). LEJ is a joint venture of GS Yuasa Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC). Top speed of the i MiEV is 130 kph (81 mph), with a range of up to 160 km (100 miles) under Japanese 10-15 cycle driving conditions. (Earlier post.)
The report said that Mitsubishi Motors hopes to sell 2,000 i MiEVs in the first year and to boost the figure to 10,000 units by fiscal 2011. |
