Mitsubishi: Electric dreams

Mitsubishi's iMiEV Sport Air puts a sporty spin on the iMiEV electric car. Photo / Supplied

Mitsubishi's iMiEV demonstrator is back in Japan, but New Zealand managing director John Leighton hasn't lost his enthusiasm for plug-in cars. He says progress is "not a sprint, but a marathon - and we've jogged the first kilometre".

That jog was taken in early production prototypes which go and stop as well as their internal combustion equivalents. Indeed, arguably better given the off-the-line pull of an electric engine, and the lower centre of gravity imparted by the equipment required. But they haven't yet beaten the two issues of range and price.

"Range is not a problem as a commuter car around Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch," Leighton says, but admits the likes of Mitsubishi's iMiEV aren't practical on the open road. That means such electric vehicles are viable only as a second car, and cost becomes an issue.

Their lithium-ion batteries make these cars expensive "but price will come down", Leighton says. There will be further technical breakthroughs as developers pour resources into studying battery types and storage density. "I'd expect that in five to 10 years we'll see quantum leaps in terms of battery range, and dropping prices due to new technology, economies of scale and competition," he says.

What about the resources to run them? "The primary infrastructure is the wiring into your house."

With our 240-volt system the cars can be charged via an ordinary socket on single phase overnight.

Leighton says a standardised system that will plug into any lithium ion battery from any manufacturer will also be required, plus chargers in public areas like parking buildings. "But inductive charging is coming," he says, "with the coil embedded in the concrete and working a bit like your electric toothbrush."

He believes making charging simpler and quicker will facilitate longer journeys and increase flexibility.

Leighton's not just interested in his own bottom line. "The Holy Grail is the huge advantage electric-powered transport brings for a country like New Zealand with renewable resources.

"You address the CO2 issue, to a very large extent address the balance of payments issue and disassociate yourself from the unstable geopolitical areas of the world. And because of these advantages, I think that research and development will continue to gather pace."

Meanwhile, Leighton says, cars like GM's coming Volt will bridge the gap. It has an internal combustion engine to power the battery if it runs down.

"That will be the first technology to take off in volume as it overcomes the range issue and leads to better consumer comfort," Leighton says. "Then as the cost of the battery comes down, you can drop the internal combustion engine."

IMIEV

Mitsubishi's iMiEV Sport Air puts a sporty spin on the iMiEV electric car.

It uses the same rear-midship platform, but mounts the battery and powertrain low. Power is up by nine kilowatts to 60, while torque peaks at a mighty 230Nm in a car weighing around 650kg.

Mitsubishi won't quote its top speed, but says the Sport Air can travel 200km on a single charge.