Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM), the official importer and distributor of Mitsubishi vehicles in Malaysia, has registered the first fully electric car in Malaysia, the Mitsubishi i-Miev recently.
Mitsubishi i-MiEV
The company plans to run a suite of activities to promote public awareness on the appreciation for environmental practicality of electric vehicle as well as to reduce global warming.
“Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia is pleased to be the first to bring in a mass-produced full-electric car to Malaysia to promote the awareness of zero-emission electric vehicles among the Malaysian public. Soon, Malaysians will get to know more about the innovative technology behind the i-MiEV, and experience for themselves the benefits of an electric vehicle, as test drives will be available for the first i-MiEV in Malaysia,” said Tetsuya Oda, Chief Executive Officer of Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia.
From L-R Mr. Tetsuya Oda, Chief Executive Officer and En. Omar Haron, Chief Operating Officer of MMM with the Mitsubishi i-MiEV
Producing 49 kW of power and 180 Nm of instant torque, the i-MiEV (Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle) is powered solely by electricity, and can be recharged from a regular home socket. With a top speed of 130 km/h, the four-seater vehicle can run up to 160 kilometres (100 miles) after charging eight hours at 230 volts.
The i-Miev accelerates 31 per cent faster than a gasoline powered car in the 40 to 60 km/h range.
“100% electric, yet offering surprising power and a smooth, quiet ride, i-MiEV is redefining the way the world drives. In the long run, we are happy to offer Malaysians the opportunity to purchase their own EV and make the choice towards a greener future. This effort is also in line with Mitsubishi Motors’ global direction to reduce the rate of global warming and to decrease dependence on fossil fuels,” added Oda.
Since its debut, the i-MiEV has attracted a lot of attention worldwide. When Mitsubishi Motors started delivery of the i-MiEV to corporate, governmental and local authority users in July 2009 in Japan, it was the first auto manufacturer to offer a car that addresses the issues of environmental pollution, global warming and exhaustion of petroleum-based energy supplies.
Visitors hitching a ride on the i-MiEV at One Utama
Sales to private customers in Japan started in April 2010. Since then, Mitsubishi Motors has sold around 4,000 units of the i-MiEV in Japan and has exported over 10,000 units in 19 countries throughout Europe, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand and Chile.
The Mitsubishi i-MiEV is based on the gasoline-powered i minicar, but instead of an internal combustion engine, its sole power source is a lithium-ion battery pack powering a permanent magnet electric motor. The 330V battery is located under the floor deck, while the electric motor is housed under the luggage compartment.
Mitsubishi Motors’ EV development history began with the Minicab EV in 1969. The company has continued its research and development, concentrating principally on motors and batteries. In 2006, Mitsubishi Motors developed the i MiEV.
A special showcase of the i-MiEV made its debut in Malaysia at One Utama from the 19 – 23 October. This showcase was held to create awareness on zero-emission of electric vehicles in Malaysia as well as to share the viability and practicality of electric vehicles.
Visitors to the showcase who had an opportunity to ride on the i-MiEV enjoyed the ride comfort of the vehicle especially because it runs extremely quiet. Visitors were also treated to fun activities prepared for the whole family
25 October 2011
No comments:
Post a Comment