Mitsubishi to produce 30,000 EVs

Mitsubishi Motors Corp. said it aims to boost the annual production of i MiEV to 30,000 units around fiscal 2013. The company said earlier that it would double its production target of the i Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle (i MiEV) vehicle from 10,000 units to 20,000 units in fiscal 2011.The company has set optimistic goals due to Japan and other nations’ extension of financial support to promote the use of eco-friendly cars, President Osamu Masuko said. Mitsubishi Motors will initially market the i MiEV to corporate customers, and then to individual customers starting fiscal 2010. In the latter half of 2010, the automaker plans to make inroads overseas, including in Europe, with a left-hand drive model. Hong Kong has secured a mass supply of i MiEV for road testing starting May, which should help the company penetrate the Hong Kong market. Powered by a lithium-ion battery, carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generation for the i MiEV will be approximately 30% of the carbon dioxide produced by a gasoline mini-car. (April 24/ 27, 2009)