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Tuesday March 9, 2010
Mitsubishi i-MiEV Electric Vehicle

Mitsubishi i-MiEV Electric Vehicle

Mitsubishi Motor might be an also-ran among Japan's automakers, but it's at the forefront of developing electric vehicles. In 2009, it will begin marketing its i-MiEV electric vehicle in Japan. Based on the "i" minicar, the i-MiEV is currently being tested in collaboration with several Japanese electric power companies. According to Japanese media, Mitsubishi will produce 2,000 lithium-ion-battery-powered i-MiEVs in 2009 and raise output to 10,000 a year two years later. The price is likely to be between $23,000 and $28,000, at least initially, which is roughly double the cost of the gas-powered "i." Exports are to start in 2010.