First Electric Mini Car to Hit Roads of Japan

irst Electric mini car to hit roads of Japan is as early as 2009. Now it seems just around the corner, by the efforts of (MMC) Mitsubishi Motors Corporation. It is believed that other automakers worldwide are also making same efforts to make important announcements in terms of ‘eco cars’.

Research

MMC started a joint research with Tokyo Electric Power Company, and The Chugoku Electric Power Co., Inc., in November 2006 and with Kyushu Electric Power Co., Ltd, in January 2007. The new research EV (electric vehicle) is based on MMC’s “i” mini-car, and named “i MiEV” which mean “Mitsubishi Innovative Electric Vehicle”. i MiEV is powered by a compact and lightweight motor and high-energy density lithium-ion batteries. After removing the i’s (a sister car by MMC) combustion engine mounted on the platform with an original rear-midship layout, a single motor (*2) is mounted in its place. i MiEV became electric-powered with few modifications of the body structure.

Since her first display at the 22nd International Battery, Hybrid and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Symposium & Exposition (EVS-22) at Pacifico Yokohama in Yokohama on October 23 – 28, 2006, the performance is highly revolutionized from a test vehicle to a real commercial project. By the assistance of Japanese government, this mini electric vehicle will hit the roads of Japan as soon as 2009.

Performance

Since her first display there is remarkable overall improvement in every respect. The battery system is improved to run without any major knock-down for continuous 10 years. The commercial viability has become possible by continuous efforts to bring down the overall costs and simultaneously creating a CO2 free environment. This EV neither emits CO2 and nor makes any engine sound which makes it so dear and irresistible to many countries world-wide.

This revolutionary mini EV can run at a high speed of 140mph. The batteries can be recharged via cable plugged to 110V/220V house sockets. Full battery charge is done in total 14 hours plugged-in and no need for another charge till 140Kms. , i MiEV shows stronger torque, quieter noise and less vibration, which are natural advantages of EVs.

Price and economy

MMC is planning to put a high JPY4.0M (Approx.USD$38,000) price tag, which includes the research costs. Looks like non practical and out of reach, therefore Government of Japan is aiding of max. JPY1.0M (approx.USD$9500) to help end consumers. Obviously there is a great factor of clean environment involved and if you compare this mini vehicle with other (KEI cars) Japanese mini vehicles then the price can be bearable. A regular gasoline engine 660CC vehicle runs for about JPY9(USD$0.086) per Kilometer whereas iMEV will run for JPY1 (USD$0.009) per kilometer.

Let us join hands to protect our GREEN PLANET by vowing to emit no CO2 for traveling; a single step is the start to make this world greener and happier.

Limited Budget offers

But if you are low on budget for the new car then there are other good reasons to buy a used car. Your smart choice for the right dealer will reflect your final bye-product. Let say that you have come across leading exporters like Nexuss International Company of Japan, which are providing excellent advice and second to none service packages just fit for your needs. Moreover, you have to know that:-

Used cars are more reliable today than ever before.

Some used cars are still under the approved dealers’ warranty.

Most approved dealers now sell certified used cars, which include warranties.

The history of a used car can easily be traced using the VIN number.

Online buying and selling of used cars have increasingly gained numbers in recent years.

Most Japanese cars are “one owner” and therefore reliability is more.

Japanese online commission agents are providing less stressful deals by offering “Inspected vehicles” by qualified inspectors.

Japanese auctions are non-biased selling/buying places with limited members.

Hybrid Cars: the Vehicle for the Future for the People on Today?s Roads

Buying hybrid cars can seem a little daunting but not in the manner in what you may think, the complication in buying a Hybrid car is which one you should choose. To assist you in your purchase you will need to understand some of the basic principals on a Hybrid Electric vehicle (HEV).

All HEV’s have two energy sources for its engines: Electric and Combustion. When in everyday use on the road the car will run on either the Electric engine or the Combustion engine. However if the driver requires faster acceleration both engines will operate together.

There are many characteristics worth considering when purchasing a Hybrid Car, they have low emissions, are fuel efficient, and the battery actually recharges itself whilst you are driving therefore eliminating the need to plug into a wall socket like you would with a pure Electric Car.

There are also other considerations that must be taken into account when purchasing your HEV.

1. As a Prospective buyer you should have some level of understanding regarding the language that is used in relation to buying hybrid cars. According to the California Air Resources Board, Ultra Low-Emission Vehicle is a car with 50 percent cleaner emission, compared with that of a new 2001 model car.

A Super Ultra Low-Emission Vehicle emits 90% cleaner emissions than that of an average new 2002 model car. You will however have heard of cars that produce zero-emission but these are purely electric cars, and not hybrid cars, and at present pure electrical cars are impractical to produce.

2. You should also consider what you would use your HEV for. Hybrid cars are best used on short distance journeys in your local area if you were to use them on Highways or long journeys you would not be expected to get much Fuel reduction.

3. The other consideration is the cost, Hybrid Cars are usually more expensive than normal vehicles but this is due to the fact that at present there is only small numbers in production compared to Petrol cars and also they are more mechanically more complex. But these are only minor concerns considering what you will be saving on fuel.

The Federal State is at present encouraging people to buy HEV’s due to the long term benefits of limiting fuel usage. There are also several tax deductions for new buyers of hybrid cars, and several cities are also offering free parking as an additional incentive for low-emissions vehicles.

Therefore it is safe to say that the people, who buy hybrid cars, are the people who are buying the vehicles of the future.

Fuel Economy Fast: how to save fuel on hilly roads

Facing hills

Inclination can be a huge enemy to fuel economy, especially when you have to go uphill.

Due to the extra engine response required when going uphill your engine will be burning more fuel to keep a determined speed than it would on plain ground. In many cases you’ll even need to make use of the gearbox to respond to that adversity.

Going up…

You can reduce the effect of hills by optimizing your driving. Because it’s easier and more economical to gain speed on plain ground you should accelerate before you start climbing up.

While you are going up you can maintain your foot still and even lose some speed, and it will be fine – just don’t lose so much speed that you need to change to a lower gear before you reach the end of that section. To do this you must gain adequate speed while on plain ground; after a few tries you will be able to perform it quite well. If you arrive at the top of the hill moving slower but still using the same gear that you started it with, keep it and gradually return to your normal speed.

Try to only gain speed only a bit above what you require to reach the top of the hill in the same gear and without stalling the engine, while losing some speed along the way.

You will severely cut down your engine’s thirst while going uphill when using this procedure.

You’ll find circumstances in which you won’t be able to gain speed before starting going uphill or you can’t take advantage of it; it can be a good and easy option on the highway but can be hard or even impossible to apply in urban routes.

In that case I recommend using smooth acceleration and trying to use a speed which you can maintain. Don’t open the taps and rev your engine high on a straight to gain speed and switch to the longest gear if you know there’s a curve just ahead and you’ll have to slow down.

… going down…

If while going uphill you’ll require more fuel, the opposite will happen when going down. This is when you can go some distance while almost needing no fuel if you know how to take advantage of it.

These situations are great to relief the throttle and let the car’s weight move it. Most times you can get let go of the throttle and almost stop consuming fuel, if you have a fuel injected car.

A fuel injected car will have an ECU (a computer that takes care of combustion) and will cut off fuel consumption (almost completely) when you totally release the throttle pedal. This will be true at most engine speed’s, except if the engine starts to turn close to the idling speed. At that point the ECU will inject fuel to prevent the engine from stalling.

If your car is older and has a carburetor instead of electronic fuel injection, it will be more economical to put it on neutral than letting it in gear, as there is no ECU to cut off fuel delivery.

The rest of the article will solve the eternal discussion on what’s the best way to save fuel when going down… is it in gear or using neutral?

If you want to read the rest of the article and discover various true-and-tried ways on how to achieve impressive fuel economy, check Fuel Economy Fast

Technology › Suzuki to test drive plug-in hybrid on Japanese roads from autumn

Research and Markets: Analysis of the Impact of Hybrids and Electric Vehicles in the North American Automotive …
DUBLIN—-Research and Markets has announced the addition of Frost & Sullivan’s new report “Analysis of the Impact of Hybrids and Electric Vehicles in the North American Automotive Aftermarket” to their offering.

Read more on Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance

Partnerships Powering Electric Vehicle Progress
Every major automaker has a hybrid or full electric vehicle either on the roads or in the works, and these aren’t the only firms looking to get a piece of the pie.

Read more on Indie Research via Yahoo! Finance

Prepare your car before setting out on a road trip
Times staff and wiresAre you planning a trip for the Memorial Day weekend? Before you hit the road, make sure your car is ready. “Preparing your car for the busy season of car trips and hot weather is so important, but is often an afterthought,” said Tom Samon, ASE master technician for CarMax. “Taking a few preventive measures can keep your car running smoothly and help you avoid costly repairs …

Read more on St. Petersburg Times

Taiwan Unveils Plan to Boost Electric Car Use
The government plans to subsidize local auto companies in return for more sustainable vehicles.

Read more on Industry Week

Technology › Suzuki to test drive plug-in hybrid on Japanese roads from autumn
Suzuki Motor Corp’s dealers will begin test driving a plug-in hybrid version of its Swift compact car on Japanese roads from this autumn, using lithium…

Read more on Japan Today