Mitsubushi’s i-MiEV sets off on a cross-Canada tour

Mitsubishi i-MiEV Andrew Bardwell trip across Canada

Andrew Bardwell with the Mitsubishi i-MiEV

Electric cars are said to be the future mode of transportation for all human beings. Almost all auto manufacturers today, are investing in the research and development of electric or hybrid cars. Alhough, a major hurdle for this technology is the lack of infrastructure needed to recharge these cars.

At present electric vehicles are used only as city-runabouts in some western countries. These cars have earned a reputation of being a bit fragile to go long distances over freeways, autobahns, mountains and rough terrain. In a bid to change this perspective, Mitsubishi has summoned one of its all electric car, the ‘i-MiEV‘ and prove to public that even an electric hatchback can be a long distance cruiser.

The i-MiEV has set-off on a trip across Canada, a route that will take this little car across 7500km of Canadian tundra. Andrew Bardwell is at the wheel for most of the i MiEV’s journey. The maximum range of the car between recharging is 125 km. “That’s a lot of recharging,” says Bardwell, “but it gives you an opportunity to relax.”

Recharging takes 14 hours from a 110-volt wall plug, 7 hours from a 220 volt drier plug and as little as 30 minutes from a quick charging station. Fortunately, a massive Freightliner rig accompanies the i-MiEV on its cross country trek carrying a great, big generator. “In the middle of nowhere, we use a Direct Current Quick Charger to get us up to 80 per cent power in about 30 minutes.”

Tomoki Yanagawa , vice-president of sales, marketing, planning at Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada, says the i-MiEV is “definitely” going on sale in Canada next year. “We expect to bring the price in at between 30 and 40 thousand dollars in Canada.”

News courtesy: The Glode and Mail

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September 4, 2010 | By Tushar Kelshikar · Tags: i-MiEV electric car, i-MiEV's trip across Canada, Mitsubishi i-MiEV

Comments

One Response to “Mitsubushi’s i-MiEV sets off on a cross-Canada tour”

Sanderson Porter on September 5th, 2010 10:01 pm

The electric car by xp at http://www.myxpcar.com goes 2000 miles without needing to charge and when it does charge it takes 30 seconds. Why would anyone want a miev when the xp design blows it away?

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